Lockheed Martin Unveils $4.1 Billion GMLRS Rocket Agreement with the U.S. Army!
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has obtained a contract, valued at up to $4.1 billion, for the production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets.
The unspecified, multi-year procurement deal will involve the manufacturing and distribution of extended-range (ER) GMLRS missiles along with their related components.
A multi-year procurement arrangement is a tactical approach employed by the US Department of Defense to acquire products or services over an extended period, often stretching up to five years.
This contract represents a foundational move to bolster production, stimulate innovation, and utilize the financial advantages of bulk purchasing while ensuring supply chain continuity.
US Army Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Assistant Secretary Douglas Bush stated: “The contract is anticipated to be clarified as part of a three-year multiyear agreement, highlighting the Army’s commitment to hastening and stabilizing production capabilities for this crucial weapon system, which continues to assist the US Army and Joint Forces, as well as Ukraine and other global allies.”
Administered by the US Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, the contract is executed in conjunction with the US Army’s contracting authority, Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal.
The GMLRS serves as a critical resource, delivering precision strike abilities to both US and allied military forces.
GMLRS is the primary projectile for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, part of the MLRS family of launchers.
Present GMLRS variants include the unitary round, the alternative warhead, and ER GMLRS.
The ER GMLRS is designed to double the range of the current rocket from 70km to 150km while offering improved flexibility.
Lockheed Martin has produced over 70,000 GMLRS rounds, according to a release issued in March 2024. These are fabricated at the company’s Precision Fires Center of Excellence located in Camden, Arkansas, in the US.
In the same month, the US Army skillfully demonstrated the capability of the Lockheed Martin-developed ER GMLRS against a target situated at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
