OWEGO, N.Y., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps today selected Lockheed Martin as one of three companies to continue development on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, NY, which leads the JLTV Team as prime contractor, will receive a $35.9 million contract from the two services for the program's 27-month technology development phase.
"We are honored that trust has been placed in Lockheed Martin and our JLTV Team to continue development of this vital program," said Louis DeSantis, vice president and general manager of Ground Vehicle Systems at Lockheed Martin. "We are committed to meeting the demanding program requirements and providing the lowest-risk, most technically innovative vehicle that serves our Soldiers and Marines."
The technology development contract will be 27 months in duration. The first 15 months require competitors to develop and deliver seven JLTV variants, four trailers, four blast hulls, and ballistic panels that will be used for testing. The remaining 12 months are scheduled for government testing. The Technology Development phase will then be followed by a Systems Design and Development phase and, later, by a production contract.
Lockheed Martin currently has three operational prototypes: the JLTV Category B model, which is designed as an infantry carrier and was unveiled in October 2007; the Utility Vehicle Light Category C model, which is designed with a focus on payload and was introduced in February 2008; and the General Purpose Mobility Category A model, which was unveiled earlier this month at the Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
Lockheed Martin is currently in the process of building its fourth JLTV prototype, an additional variant of the Infantry Carrier, and anticipates completing production in November.
The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes:
-- BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems, providing advanced armor solutions and production facilities for high volume assembly;
-- Alcoa Defense, supplying materials experience, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight; and
-- JWF - Defense Systems, offering state-of-the-art machining and cost-effective fabrication.
Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor and design agent, providing systems engineering, platform integration, design expertise, and program and supply chain management.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.
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