$1.12 Billion for 11,000 Rounds and ILS for US and International Customers
The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract, valued at $1.12 billion (€954 million) for Lot 16 production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and associated equipment, the company announced on 29 March.
The contract calls for the production of over 9,000 Unitary and Alternative-Warhead (AW) rockets, some 2,000 Low-Cost Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (RRPR) and integrated logistics support for US and international customers, with work to be completed by September 2023.
“GMLRS’ versatile rounds provide proven capability, unmatched accuracy and are engineered for future needs in support of Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO),” commented Gaylia Campbell, VP of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “GMLRS remains in high demand, because it’s the right round for multiple types of missions. Our focus remains on producing the combat-proven, cost-effective GMLRS to meet our customers’ needs.”
The company recently delivered the 50,000th GMLRS round to the US Army. GMLRS is an all-weather rocket, designed for rapid deployment and delivering precision strike beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. The munition is the primary round for Lockheed Martin’s combat-proven HIMARS and MLRS family of launchers and features a GPS-aided inertial guidance package and small manoeuvring canards on the nose, enhancing system manoeuvrability and accuracy.
The GMLRS AW was developed to service area targets without the effects of unexploded ordnance. GMLRS unitary rockets provide precision strike for point targets, exceed the required combat reliability rate and are cost-effective. The RRPR allows users to train with realistic, full-motored rockets with limited flight range, making them ideal for smaller testing ranges.
Lockheed Martin is also developing the Extended Range (ER) GMLRS, which will provide the same accuracy and reliability while significantly extending the range to around 150 kilometres.
