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LOCKHEED MARTIN awarded $33 Million to provide AEGIS ballistic missile defense to JAPANESE Destroyer


WEBWIRE

MOORESTOWN, NJ.- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today received a $33 million contract to provide Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability to the Aegis-equipped Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JDS Chokai.

JDS Chokai is the second of four Japanese destroyers to be outfitted with the Aegis BMD Weapon System. Aegis BMD is currently being installed on JDS Kongo, which is scheduled to return to sea and conduct its first BMD missile firing in late 2007.

The Aegis Weapon System is the world’s premier naval surface defense system and is the foundation for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

Aegis BMD has established a record of strong performance with nine successful ballistic missile intercepts in 11 attempts.

“This is a significant order that will provide work for Moorestown employees through 2009,” said Saxton, who worked with Department of Defense and Japanese officials on the issue. “Japan is a close ally, and its decision to buy Aegis technology shows a continuing confidence and commitment to Kongo-class destroyers outfitted with American-built products. I’m especially pleased this purchase is an export of U.S. goods and services, and will reduce the trade deficit.”

The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, the SM-3 missile and the Aegis Weapon System’s command and control system. The Aegis BMD Weapon System also integrates with the Missile Defense Agency’s BMDS, receiving cues from and providing cueing information to other BMDS elements.

The Aegis Weapon System is currently deployed on 83 ships around the globe with more than 20 additional ships planned or under contract. In addition to the United States and Japan, Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for Spain, Norway, South Korea and Australia.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies. It also has considerable experience in interceptor systems, kill vehicles, battle management command, control and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and other sensors that enable signal processing and data fusion. The company makes significant contributions to nearly all major U.S. Missile Defense Systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.



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