Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $240 million contract to support the modelling and simulation framework for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

Awarded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Modeling and Simulation Contract – Framework and Tools (MASC-F) contract will see the company undertake work to ensure the BMDS remains ready for evolving threats by continually assessing system configurations, engagement conditions and target phenomena.

MASC-F will provide additional products and tools to support the agency's modelling and simulation enterprise and provide critical data to assess the operational effectiveness and survivability of the BMDS and its elements. Through computer-based tools, modelling, algorithms and analysis techniques, MASC-F will enable the integration of real-world hardware and constructive models from each of the BMDS programme elements into one system that accurately represents the performance of fielded BMDS equipment. These will then be used to evaluate fielded and conceptual BMDS architectures against a variety of threats in realistic environments.

JD Hammond, vice president of C4ISR Systems for Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Testing the different elements of the BMDS together is an extremely complicated process. MASC-F will enable the MDA to run 'what-if' scenarios before fielding new configurations to ensure the warfighter gets the most effective system possible.’

Working with the MDA, Lockheed Martin's team will enhance the system's foundational simulation framework. The Lockheed Martin-led team includes Northrop Grumman, Dynetics, CohesionForce, PeopleTec, Penta Research, Corvid Technologies, Archarithms, ISYS Technologies and M&M Technical Services. The team will mature capabilities and develop common interfaces to join digital and hardware-in-the-loop representations into one modular, scalable, reconfigurable system.