The Navy gave Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] a $6.3 million contract to support MK 41 vertical launch systems for the U.S. and Turkish navies, Lockheed announced.
Lockheed will provide engineering support services for MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) work on the U.S. Navy Ticonderoga Class guided missile cruiser modernization program and the Turkish navy’s MEKO Track IIA and IIB frigates.
The latest MK 41 VLS baseline VII launch control system combines commercial off-the-shelf technologies and open architecture software elements.
Originally designed by Lockheed Martin in the early 1980s, MK 41 VLS has gone through numerous system upgrades and baseline improvements to introduce new capabilities, integrate new missiles and lower the total cost of ownership.
The recent contract modification was to the MK 41 VLS Design Agent Contract originally awarded in 2004. Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin locations in Baltimore, Md., and Ventura, Calif.
The MK 41 launcher can fire a wide array of missiles including anti-air, anti-submarine, ship self-defense, land attack and ballistic missile defense. More than 11,000 MK 41 VLS missile cells have been delivered or are on order. MK41 VLS systems are either in service or on order by 12 navies around the world for 186 ships in 19 different ship classes.