Lockheed Martin to direct Patriot Missile upgrade

Lockheed Martin Corp. won a $379 million contract from the Army Aviation and Missile Command to build 112 Patriot missiles and furnish related program management and engineering services.

The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles substantially increase the firepower of the Patriot Air Defense System. The long-range, all-weather air defense system counters tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

Lockheed Martin's missiles and fire control business unit is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 missile segment upgrade to the Patriot system. The company also will supply launcher modification kits, spares and other equipment.

The PAC-3 missiles will be used as the U.S. primary interceptors for the multinational Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). This mobile air defense system will replace existing Patriot systems in the United States and other missile defense systems in Germany and Italy.

MEADS will incorporate the PAC-3 missiles in a system that includes surveillance and fire control sensors, battle management and communication centers and firepower launchers.

Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Md., has about 135,000 employees and had annual revenue of $37.2 billion in fiscal 2005. The company ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors. The 2006 list will be released May 15.