Lockheed Martin awarded $3.9 billion THAAD contract
Lockheed Martin will produce elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapons System for the Missile Defense Agency and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a $3.9 billion production contract announced on 23 September.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will manufacture and deliver a maximum of 110 Lot 4, 5 and 6 interceptors for the US Army, including the fiscal 2014 option. The contract also includes interceptors and other ground hardware for the UAE.
Mathew Joyce, vice president and program manager for THAAD at Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Lockheed Martin is focused on delivering these key components of the THAAD Weapon System to our customers. We continue to see strong interest from around the globe for the unique capabilities THAAD can provide.’
A THAAD battery was deployed for the first time internationally by the US Army to Guam earlier this year. THAAD, a key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), is a missile defence system designed to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract for five THAAD batteries for the US Army. Deliveries on Batteries 3 and 4 are underway, with final completion expected in December 2013. Battery 5 was awarded in late 2012.
More from Land Warfare
-
Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
-
AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.
-
With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?
Traditional suppliers are struggling to meet the Middle East’s armoured vehicle modernisation needs, creating opportunities for South Korean manufacturers and regional defence industries.
-
AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements
New developments from MARSS, MyDefence, Mountain Horse Solutions and Rafael suggest that future counter-drone protection will increasingly depend on combining advanced detection, rapid interception and integrated defensive networks.