Lockheed Martin has been awarded a Pentagon contract to expand missile production. “The $4.7 billion undefinitized contract action (UCA) enables Lockheed Martin to advance production acceleration and deliver record numbers of combat-proven interceptors for American and allied forces this year,” the defense contractor said in a statement.
PAC-3 MSE, the missile now under expanded production, was used in Operation Epic Fury.
The contract comes as Lockheed Martin recently signed a deal with the Pentagon for the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, a long-range weapon capable of hitting targets between 60 and 499 kilometers out. Under the agreement, Lockheed will invest in tooling upgrades, factory improvements, and testing equipment to reduce production delays. The arrangement opens the door to a multi-year contract of up to seven years, pending congressional approval.
“We are answering the nation’s call with urgency and partnering with the DoW to accelerate PAC-3 MSE production faster than ever before,” said Tim Cahill, President of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Our investments in our facilities, workforce and supply chain ensure we can deliver at scale and with speed. With the right tools, proven processes and skilled employees in place, we are positioned to deliver a record number of munitions in support of the warfighter and our allies.”
Lockheed Martin is also developing a supersonic aircraft. In October, Lockheed Martin, in partnership with NASA, completed the first flight of the X-59, described as a “revolutionary, quiet supersonic aircraft designed to pave the way for faster commercial air travel.” The X-59 is considered a “one-of-a-kind supersonic aircraft” that can fly at supersonic speeds while “reducing the sonic boom to a gentle thump,” Lockheed Martin explained. In doing so, the airframe overcomes “one of the primary barriers to supersonic commercial flight, which is currently restricted over land due to noise concerns.”
