The Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Announcements; September 2019

(Huntsville, AL and Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands) For the most part, all types of missiles are referred to as, guided missiles. A guided missile, is a self propelled weapon that flies through the air. The propulsion is usually from a jet engine, or, a rocket motor. However, the last two things are in contrast, to the definition of a rocket. Obviously, guided missiles and rockets are not the same thing. There are generally four system components in a guided missile. These four system components are; targeting or missile guidance, flight system, engine and warhead. Overall, guided missiles are developed, in order, to perform four types of roles. The four types of roles are; surface to surface, air to surface, surface to air, air to air and anti-satellite. Recently, the Lockheed Martin Corp. announced that, its most recent work is officially announcements. Specifically; the aforementioned business revealed that, it has been awarded a U.S. Army contract, and, that its proprietary T.H.A.A.D. System has achieved success. Technically, the contract with the U.S. Army, is in support of the U.S. Army’s goal of developing a long range precision strike missile. Additionally, the T.H.A.A.D. System has achieved success, against a, medium range ballistic missile.

The success against a medium range ballistic missile, and, the goal of developing a long range precision strike missile are now; the Lockheed Martin Corp.’s announcements for September 2019. Continuing with this line of thought, and returning to the U.S. Army contract, the aforementioned was awarded on August 29^th, 2019. Additionally, it has an estimated value of $347 million USD. Furthermore, this contract is part of a multiple year program. The program aims at hypersonic weapons development. The latter, is in support of the U.S. Army’s goal to develop a long range precision strike missile. Specifically, the work includes being the primary contractor, of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Systems Integration Project (L.R.H.W.). The goal, is to have the Lockheed Martin Corp. develop and integrate, a land based hypersonic strike prototype. The L.R.H.W. as a prototype, is intended to be an ultra fast and maneuverable long range missile. Additionally, it is supposed to be launched from any ground mobile platform. Furthermore, it is supposed to travel at speeds that, exceed Mach 5. The work is to be carried out, in partnership with, the U.S. Army’s Hypersonic Project Office. The latter, is part of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. Coincidentally, the Lockheed Martin Corp. also has to work in partnership with, other businesses. The other businesses are; Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS), Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3), Verity Integrated Systems, Martinez & Turek and Penta Research. Interestingly and as part of this project, the U.S. Army awarded a contract to Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS). The contract has an estimated value of $352 million USD. Specifically, the contract calls for DTS to produce the first commercially manufactured set of, Common Hypersonic Glide Body Systems (C-H.G.B.). The interesting part, as that in turn, DTS chose to have the Lockheed Martin Corp. perform a task as part of the contract. The task is support integration and prototyping, of the C-H.G.B. The idea is to have common features of the C-H.G.B. These common features ensure that the platform is uniform for air, land and sea. Steve Cook is the President of Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS). Through a press statement, Mr. Cook said the following. “Dynetics Technical Solutions is pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin on this national defense priority. The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon programs will modernize our national capabilities and will counter the threat from our foreign adversaries. We are looking forward to the progress our teams will make as we deliver this combat capability to the warfighter.”

Returning to, T.H.A.A.D., the aforementioned and as previously said has achieved success. The success is against a medium range ballistic missile. T.H.A.A.D. is an acronym that means Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System. The achieved success was during a test. This test was officially named, Flight Test T.H.A.A.D. (FTT-23). The test site of Flight Test T.H.A.A.D. (FTT-23), was U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. During the test; the T.H.A.A.D. System successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a threat representative target. The T.H.A.A.D. System then developed the required, fire control solution. After the fire control solution, it launched an interceptor missile, from a remotely located T.H.A.A.D. launcher. The missile successfully destroyed, the representative target’s re-entry vehicle. This successful test, also highlights that, the T.H.A.A.D. System is completely mobile. Aside from being completely mobile, the T.H.A.A.D. System is now suited for, mass raid scenarios. The system is also interoperable, with all other types of Ballistic Missile Defense System Elements (B.M.D.S.). Patriot/P.A.C.-3, Aegis, forward based sensors and the Command Control Battle Management and Communications System are some of the Ballistic Missile Defense System Elements that the T.H.A.A.D. System is interoperable with.

To end, the Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) did release press statements. Eric Scherff is the Vice President of Hypersonic Strike Programs for Lockheed Martin Space at the Lockheed Martin Corp. Through a press statement, Mr. Scherff said the following. “Lockheed Martin is driving rapid technical development for these national priority programs. There are natural synergies with our industry teammates. We believe our relationships offer the Army unmatched expertise and puts us in the best position to deliver this critical capability to the nation. Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the Army in integrating the common hypersonic glide body and the land-based hypersonic strike weapon system prototype. We are committed to combining the best of what our companies have to offer to deliver on this national priority program.” Richard McDaniel is the Vice President of Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems at the Lockheed Martin Corp. Through a press statement, Mr. McDaniel said the following. “The enhanced THAAD system performed flawlessly in today’s test, and we are proud to support the Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army as they continue to demonstrate the system’s unmatched capabilities. This successful test paves the way for delivery of an urgent need capability that will enhance THAAD’s emplacement options resulting in greater asset protection.” As previously stated, the Lockheed Martin Corp. recently announced that, its most recent work is officially announcements. Specifically; the aforementioned business revealed that, it has been awarded a U.S. Army contract, and, that its proprietary T.H.A.A.D. System has achieved success. Technically, the contract with the U.S. Army, is in support of the U.S. Army’s goal of developing a long range precision strike missile. Lastly and additionally, the T.H.A.A.D. System has achieved success, against a, medium range ballistic missile.