INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co.
MSMF 2009 Volume: 2 Issue: 6 (November/December)
Major General John W. Holly
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Vice President for Missile Defense Systems
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co.
A: The new operating unit in Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. centralizes the leadership of three program and capability segments headquartered in Huntsville, Ala. The first comprises our existing and future efforts in support of the Missile Defense Agency’s [MDA’s] Targets and Countermeasures Program. The second entails our pursuit of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Performance Based Logistics Operations and Sustainment [GMD PBL O&S] contract. The third is North Alabama Operations with our Courtland, Ala., production facility, our Huntsville Battle Management Technology Center, and our battle management work on programs, such as the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System [MEADS] led by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and the Land Environment Air Picture Provision air defense program led by Lockheed Martin UK.
Q: How do Lockheed Martin’s other divisions complement MDS programs?
A: The expertise and technical resources across the Lockheed Martin Corp. serve the strategic and tactical missile defense needs of the U.S. and our allies, as worldwide proliferation continues with more than 20 countries possessing active ballistic missile programs. Our portfolio includes operational elements, such as Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense; the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile; and the command and control/battle management and communications that integrates sensors, command and control and weapon systems. It includes capabilities, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and the Beam Control/Fire Control System for the Airborne Laser. With many of our missile defense customers located in Huntsville, MDS supports other parts of the corporation on many of these programs.
Q: How is Lockheed Martin MDS tailoring its portfolio to respond to MDA’s focus on intercepting ballistic missiles in ascent phases?
A: We continually anticipate future needs in our independent research and development efforts to bring the latest technology to the table. As MDA determines what is needed to successfully prosecute early intercept engagements, Lockheed Martin will support these requirements, drawing upon the successful systems and technologies we have developed that span the phases of missile flight. The specifics will depend on the government’s construct, the overall architecture and how they envision prosecuting engagements in that phase of the trajectory. There is no question that we offer tremendous capability to address this phase of flight.
Q: What growth areas are on the horizon for Lockheed Martin MDS?
A: For MDS, we are focusing near-term growth on our pursuit of the GMD PBL O&S acquisition, as well as MDA’s future targets. The GMD opportunity exploits our lineage as a pioneer of hit-to-kill technology in midcourse missile defense, starting with the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept by the Homing Overlay Experiment in 1984 that established the technical feasibility of today’s GMD system. We bring a tremendous set of skills tailored to this important role—not only mission understanding but also clear leadership in operations and sustainment for other Department of Defense systems and award-winning performancebased logistics. Most important, we know we can make a difference in supporting and extending the life of this fielded weapon system.
Q: How will Lockheed Martin MDS provide the increased rigor and fidelity in BMDS testing directed by Capitol Hill and sought by director, MDA?
A: We continue to provide MDA with the most reliable targets they have in their inventory. Lockheed Martin’s record speaks for itself: an unmatched 97 percent success rate in providing and launching target missiles for missile defense tests. We have achieved this with more than 30 unitary and separating targets launched via land, sea and air since 1996. For increasingly complex, threat-representative testing, Lockheed Martin developed the next-generation Launch Vehicle-2 target. We delivered the first Launch Vehicle-2 target this summer from our world-class Single Integration Capability in Courtland. We strive to deliver best value through long-term supplier agreements and process improvements that yield economies of scale—without compromising quality.
Q: How is Lockheed Martin MDS responding to suggestions by DoD leadership that fewer expensive weapons systems will be bought in the future?
A: There always will be a need for upgrades and support. Also, while changes in the environment and the threat may dictate less demand for some types of systems, they will increase demand for others. For example, MDA’s rigorous test program means a continued need for targets with increasing capabilities— which we will continue to actively support. In addition, significant orders are likely from foreign military sales and multinational efforts, such as the MEADS program currently under development in conjunction with Germany and Italy that will introduce a significant improvement in tactical missile defense capabilities. ♦
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