March 27, 5:25 EST
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Officials at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) recently chose experts at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, Calif., to study the development of a flexible family of reliable, target launch vehicle concepts under the Missile Defense Agency's Enhanced Target Delivery System (ETDS) program.

The ETDS study is in response to the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) need to develop and field a next-generation target system that is capable of launching larger, more massive target vehicles with heavier and more complex
payload suites for future ballistic missile defense testing, Lockheed Martin officials say. The new target system must address a variety of engagement scenarios, including launching from remote, unimproved land-based sites, as well as from sea-based and air-based platforms. Other key elements to be addressed by the study are mission flexibility, decreased launch cycle time, and realistic emulation of current and projected threat systems, company officials say.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide SMDC and MDA with truly innovative target launch vehicle solutions for the U.S. military's missile defense testing requirements," says Tom Morton, vice president of strategic

missile programs for Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "Our solution will leverage Lockheed Martin's" experience in target and space launch vehicles and strategic and defensive missile systems, he adds.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems has experience in launch system design, development and launch operations on such successful programs as the Multi-Service Launch System (MSLS) long-range target vehicle, Fleet Ballistic Missiles, and the Athena, Atlas, and Titian launch vehicle programs, Lockheed Martin officials say.

Under the terms of the study contract, Lockheed Martin experts will assess the feasibility of conducting launch operations from various sea-based and airborne platforms and remote launch ground sites and deliver a set of flexible design approaches to USASMDC in support of the MDA Consolidated Targets Program, Lockheed Martin officials say. The study effort does not include the preliminary design review, company officials say.

For more information on Lockheed Martin Space Systems contact the company on the World Wide Web at http://www.lockheedmartin.com.

Military & Aerospace Electronics