Lockheed to build missile defence targets

Lockheed Martin has received an $80.6 million contract from the US Missile Defense Agency to build modified ballistic re-entry vehicles and separation modules for missile defence tests, the company announced on 8 March.

The contract will see Lockheed Martin develop and produce unarmed re-entry vehicles for integration into target missiles through 2022. The contract also includes options for additional modified re-entry vehicles and mission support.

The modified vehicles will carry sensors to measure the accuracy and effectiveness of the target, interceptor and missile defence system. Testing against a capable, threat-representative re-entry vehicle helps ensure the ballistic missile defence system is ready to detect and destroy enemy missiles.

Sarah Reeves, vice president of missile defense programs at Lockheed Martin Space, said: ‘The re-entry vehicle is essentially the bullseye for an interceptor missile, and it is also one of the most complex parts of the target. In today's environment, it is incredibly important to test against threat-representative targets that look like enemy missiles, and we are proud to continue to provide that capability to the Missile Defense Agency.’