Lockheed Martin delivers first Camden-built ATACMS missile to U.S. Army

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 398 views 

Lockheed Martin has delivered the first Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile to the U.S. Army from the company’s production facility in Camden, Ark. The company is under contract to deliver 124 new ATACMS missiles to the U.S. Army and an international customer, and is currently in full-rate production at the Camden facility.

Concurrent with production efforts, Lockheed Martin is nearing completion of a development contract with the U.S. Army that further enhances existing ATACMS missiles. The modifications include upgrades to the missile electronics, and complete the qualification of a height-of-burst proximity sensor, which provides increased area effects on targets.

“ATACMS has demonstrated unparalleled system performance and reliability for our customers,” said Scott Greene, vice president of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “These latest ATACMS rounds will support Army readiness, and provide a critical new precision engagement capability to our international customers.”

ATACMS is the U.S. Army’s only tactical long-range, deep precision-strike surface-to-surface weapon system. ATACMS missiles can be fired from the entire family of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, enabling battlefield commanders the capability to operate in contested environments.

Lockheed Martin has produced more than 3,800 ATACMS missiles, with more than 20 years of on-time deliveries. More than 600 ATACMS missiles have been fired in combat, and the system has demonstrated extremely high rates of accuracy and reliability while in theater. Each ATACMS missile is packaged in a Guided Missile Launch Assembly pod.

Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.