Lockheed takes on U.K. rocket fire-control work

Lockheed Martin Corp. won a $10 million contract from the United Kingdom's Defense Ministry for fire-control systems for 15 multiple-launch rocket systems.

The system will let British forces fire precision munitions, such as the global positioning system-aided versions of the Army tactical missile system Block 1A and the Army guided multiple-launch rocket system.

The multiple-launch rocket system automatically fires surface-to-surface rockets and missiles. With its "shoot and scoot" capability, it lets a three-man crew drive to a site, fire munitions and quickly depart without leaving the cab. The crew can ripple-fire a 12-rocket load in less than a minute and can quickly reload with two six-pack launch pod containers.

The rockets and launchers also are used or have been ordered by France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Norway, Denmark, Turkey, Greece and South Korea also have used or have ordered the rockets and launchers.

The Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville, Ala., completed the foreign military sale.

Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin employs approximately 130,000 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $35.5 billion. It is No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2004 Top 100 list of prime federal contractors.