L3 Communications Wins $73 Million Ballistic Missile Target Vehicles Contract

L-3 Communications has won contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to provide Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target vehicles for use in tests of missile defense systems.

The initial value of the award is approximately $73 million, with additional options valued at more than $400 million over the next five years.

In support of MDA, L-3 Coleman will develop and manufacture the MRBM targets and provide integrated logistics support, including inventory storage and maintenance, pre- and post-mission analysis, launch preparation, launch execution, and engineering services. These targets are an essential part of MDA’s test plan to verify the effectiveness of its missile defense systems.

“We are proud to be the winner of this critical competitive contract from MDA. L-3 Coleman has over 21 years of successful target system delivery performance, providing high-quality targets at an industry-leading value. Most recently, L-3 Coleman successfully demonstrated our Extended Long Range Air Launched Target (E-LRALT) in the FTI-01 integrated live-fire demonstration in October 2012. This was one of the largest, most complex mission flight tests ever attempted.

“We are extremely pleased to continue our work with MDA by applying the E-LRALT proven technology to the MRBM program,” said Steve Kantor, president of L-3’s Electronic Systems Group. “This contract for target vehicles will enable MDA to continue to assess the performance of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems.”