SUNNYVALE, Calif., 12 July 2005. The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) office has awarded a team of Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems a $9.2 million contract to demonstrate solid rocket motor technologies suitable for developing an affordable Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile System (SLIRBM).
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., will lead a Missile System Trade Study integrated product team (IPT), and ATK will lead the Ground Demonstration IPT. Lockheed Martin will serve as the overall prime contractor and systems integrator for the SLIRBM Booster System Demonstration.
Under the 16-month contract, the team will identify the appropriate level of technology insertion. Then they will validate the concept with first- and second-stage static firings conducted at ATK Thiokol's solid rocket motor facilities in Promontory, Utah.
ATK and Lockheed Martin will develop SLIRBM using numerous off-the-shelf components to speed the development of a low-cost solution while minimizing program risk. The SLIRBM design will share common hardware across all stages of the propulsion system to shorten development time while keeping the missile's cost and complexity to a minimum.
SLIRBM is a conventional missile concept that builds on the heritage the two companies share in Navy strategic missile development (Lockheed Martin and ATK provide the U.S. Navy with the submarine-launched Trident D5 nuclear ballistic missile). SLIRBM is designed to precisely deliver a conventional payload on target at ranges in excess of 1,100 miles within 10-15 minutes of launch.
"We are extremely proud to have been selected to lead this important effort," said Joanne Maguire, vice president and deputy, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "We look forward to working in partnership with Navy SSP to deliver mission success while building toward a conventional precision global strike capability for the nation."
The bid leveraged the team's combined strength and extensive experience developing advanced ballistic missile systems and solid propellant rocket motor propulsion systems.
"ATK is the world's leading producer of solid rocket motors and the world record holder for hypersonic flight, "said Ron Dittemore, president of ATK Thiokol. "We look forward to working with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy to develop a low-cost, precision missile system capable of global reach that gives U.S. forces unmatched, rapid-response capability to time critical targets."
ATK is a $3 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 14,000 people in 23 states. For more information, see www.atk.com.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion. For more information, see www.lockheedmartin.com.
