The race for the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) Targets program is down to three companies: L-3 Coleman Aerospace, Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Orbital Sciences [ORB].
L-3 spokeswoman Jennifer Barton confirmed L-3 Coleman’s intent yesterday. Meanwhile, Barton denied a rumor that L-3 suffered a failed test of its potential target offering over the Pacific Ocean last week, saying the company’s test was successful. Barton said the company successfully launched an Extended-Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) ballistic missile from a C-17 aircraft. She wouldn’t say if the E-LRALT would be L-3 Coleman’s offering in the MRBM Target program. L-3 Coleman Aerospace is a subsidiary of L-3 Communications [LLL].
Orbital Sciences spokesman Barron Beneski said yesterday the company would bid both as part of a team lead by Lockheed Martin [LMT] and individually. Lockheed Martin said last week it would lead a team comprised of Orbital, Cummings Aerospace, Davidson Technologies and IERUS Technologies to bid for the MRBM Targets program (Defense Daily, Nov. 2).
Representatives from Northrop Grumman [NOC], Raytheon [RTN] and Boeing [BA] said last week they would not bid on the program.
MDA spokesman Richard Lehner said yesterday the agency anticipates a contract award by the end of December.
MDA wants to procure a MRBM with a 2,000 km target and a 600 kilogram payload. MRBM requirements include development and manufacturing of MRBMs, integrated logistics support to include inventory storage and maintenance; pre- and post-mission analysis; launch preparation and execution and engineering services. Targets will be air and ground-launch capable (Defense Daily, April 23).