Lockheed Martin, a prominent defense contractor, has been awarded a significant $451 million contract by the U.S. Army to recapitalize additional M270 systems. This contract expansion aims to bolster the domestic fleet of launchers while providing essential upgrades for global partners in the defense arena.
The recent award builds upon an initial agreement issued in 2019, along with subsequent contracts focusing on recapitalization efforts to enhance mission readiness through the year 2050.
Jay Price, Vice President of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the importance of this modernization initiative. He highlighted that the comprehensive overhaul and upgrades to the M270 systems, including new engines, improved armored cabs, and the implementation of the Common Fire Control System (CFCS), are vital steps toward ensuring the continued effectiveness, reliability, and interoperability of the M270-series launcher with NATO forces well into the future.
Furthermore, Price emphasized the strategic significance of these enhancements, stating that they will not only bolster the combat capability of the launcher but will also strengthen the precision fires capability available to global partners.
The recapitalization efforts are extensive, encompassing the integration of advanced technologies such as the CFCS, which will enable compatibility with both current and future Munitions Family of Munitions (MFOM). Additionally, Lockheed Martin’s next-generation Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) will exclusively be deployable via M270A2 and HIMARS launchers, enhancing the operational versatility of these systems.
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), known for its heavy tracked mobile launcher capability, can be transported via C-17 and C-5 aircraft. It is designed to fire a range of munitions, including Guided MLRS rockets and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. With the recapitalization efforts underway, the MLRS will gain the capability to launch the Precision Strike Missile and Extended-Range GMLRS rockets, both of which are currently in advanced stages of development.
This contract underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advancing and modernizing critical defense systems, enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. Army and its international partners to address evolving security challenges with cutting-edge precision fires technology.