The Army late last month awarded Lockheed Martin [LMT] a $263.4 million PAC-3 missile production contract.
A total of $23.8 million in FY 2014 Army “Other Procurement” funds were obligated at the time of the Dec. 31 award. The estimated completion date of the work is June 30, 2016
Photo: Lockheed Martin
The effort includes 56 PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) missiles for the U.S. Army, seven Launcher Modification Kits (LMKs), one Portable 4-Pack Test Set and Initial Spares for Kuwait, as well as missile/LMK production tooling. Lockheed Martin
Vice President of Air and Missile Defense Business Development Orville Prins told reporters Wednesday during a conference call that the company plans two flight tests of PAC-3 in 2014.
The launcher modification kits enable the PAC-3 launcher to control and launch the hit-to-kill PAC-3 missiles, as well as heritage Patriot missiles.
“Our top priority is to ensure that our warfighters are equipped with the most effective and dependable weapon system available, and this contract allows us to do that with continued deliveries of the PAC-3 Missile system,” said Scott Arnold, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
A contract for the Patriot Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) will come later, and PAC-3 missile production will continue until the MSE is ready. Prins said the company expects the MSE to be added to its production line in fiscal year 2014 with a production contract and a Milestone C decision by the end of March. The MSE provides enhancements to the PAC-3 missile.
The PAC-3 missile work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas; Lufkin, Texas; Camden, Ark.; Chelmsford, Mass.; Ocala, Fla.; El Paso, Texas; Huntsville, Ala.; and Anaheim, Calif.