Lockheed Martin [LMT] has completed delivery of all hardware and components associated with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense weapons system’s first U.S. Army Battery, a company statement said.
Lockheed Martin delivered its 24th missile in December, completing the first THAAD Battery (A-4, ADA). Two THAAD batteries have already been activated at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The first THAAD Battery (A-4 ADA) was activated in May 2008. The second THAAD Battery (A-2 ADA) was activated in Oct. 2009, the statement said.
The Army anticipates activating a third Battery in late 2012.
Mat Joyce, Lockheed Martin vice president and program manager for the THAAD weapon system, said in a conference call with reporters yesterday that the company laid out a missile delivery plan “last August or September” and hit those marks.
“(We ramped) up from delivering three missiles per month to alternating between four and five missiles per month since September,” Joyce said. “So we’ve hit our marks. Delivering our 24th missile for the first battery in December was a big milestone for us.”
Lockheed Martin currently intends to equip the U.S. with six batteries worth of equipment, which Joyce said depends on the program making the rounds through the Capitol Hill appropriations process.
Joyce also said the company is scheduled to complete the government’s initial first buy, the 48th missile, in the “June/July timeframe.” He added the company is under contract for the second U.S. buy of missiles and battery hardware.