LOCKHEED MARTIN
SUCCESSFULLY TESTS ENTIRE THAAD WEAPON SYSTEM TODAY AT WHITE SANDS
MISSILE RANGE
DALLAS, TX, May 11, 2006 --
Lockheed Martin
[NYSE: LMT] and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully
conducted an integrated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
flight test at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM, today.
This is the first developmental flight test to engage the entire
THAAD weapon system including the THAAD interceptor, launcher, radar
and fire control system.
Specific test objectives included demonstrating all major
elements of the THAAD weapon system during engagement of a virtual
target: interceptor launch and control; kill vehicle control in
response to in-flight uplinks; seeker operation; and radar
acquisition, track and in-flight communications with the
interceptor. All test objectives were achieved.
“We achieved a major milestone today by successfully testing all
of the elements of the THAAD system and proving the system’s
capability,” said Tom McGrath, program manager and vice president
for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. “The THAAD flight demonstrations
will continue to grow in difficulty and we are eager to press
forward. We’re confident that the successful completion of
these tests will yield a system we will be proud to turn over to our
Warfighters.”
U. S. Army soldiers from Fort Bliss' 6th Brigade
participated in today’s test, with two soldiers conducting radar
operations, two soldiers assisting contractors at the launcher, and
one soldier assisting contractors at the THAAD fire control and
communications.
This is the second successful THAAD
developmental flight test conducted since flight testing resumed for
the program in November 2005. Three more test flights are
scheduled to occur at WSMR before THAAD testing moves to Pacific
Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.
Video of today’s flight test will be available on satellite SBS
6, transponder 9, Ku band analog, downlink frequency 11921, from
2:00-2:15 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (4:00-4:15 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time). Trouble line: 915-544-8837.
THAAD is designed to defend U.S. troops, allied forces,
population centers and critical infrastructure against short- to
medium-range ballistic missiles. THAAD comprises a fire
control system, interceptors, launchers and radar. The THAAD
interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets, and is
the only weapon system that engages threat ballistic missiles at
both endo- and exo-atmospheric altitudes.
A key element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System
(BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program
office located in Huntsville, AL. The agency is developing a
BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and
allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of
flight.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the
development of air and missile defense systems and technologies,
including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It also
has considerable experience in missile design and production,
infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and
communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as
radar and signal processing. The company makes significant
contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and
participates in several global missile defense partnerships.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about
135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation
reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.
Contact:
Cheryl Amerine, (972)
603-1157
e-mail, cheryl.amerine@lmco.com | 
