GPS-based GMLRS to be Acquired by U.S. Military

The U. S. military is set to acquire GPS-based Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), an all-weather, precision strike, artillery rocket system that achieves greater range and precision accuracy with fewer rockets compared to other similar systems, for its unitary rockets following a contract agreement worth $61 million awarded to Lockheed Martin.

According to Lockheed, the reliability of U.S. Army GMLRS missions exceeds 98 percent reliability. In addition to precision strikes, the system is also effective against counter-fire, air defense, light materiel, and personnel targets, the company says. GMLRS incorporates a GPS-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product-improved rocket body; small canards on the guided rocket nose add maneuverability to further enhance the accuracy of the system.

Commenting on the need for U.S. Military to upgrade to the latest GPS-based GMLRS available, Scott Arnold, vice president for precision fires and combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control said that "Soldiers continue to tell us how satisfied they are with GMLRS, because it's ready when it needs to be and can hit precision targets from 85 kilometers away, a new distance record recently recorded at tests at White Sands Missile Range. Just as in previous orders, we are committed to delivering GMLRS to the quality and dependability on which our customers have come to rely."

Work on the contract will be performed at the company's facilities in Camden, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas. Deliveries will begin in May 2010 and conclude in July of that year.