Paveway II DMLGB Begins Operational Release with U.S. Navy
January 13, 2009 ARCHBALD, Penn. -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) paveway II Dual Mode Laser-Guided Bomb (DMLGB) has achieved the U.S. Navy's initial operational capability and is now preparing for operational employment.
The DMLGB combines laser-guided and inertial/GPS guidance to execute precision strike missions against stationary and mobile targets in all weather conditions. The kits can operate in laser only, inertial/GPS, or dual mode to provide pilots with the flexibility to engage various types of targets in a single mission.
"The combined Navy/Lockheed Martin team achieved another milestone in providing Warfighters with innovative and cost-effective, direct-attack capabilities," said Capt. Mat Winter, PMA 201 Precision Strike Weapons program manager. "DMLGB brings the tactical flexibility with proven precision effectiveness our Warfighters so urgently need. I am extremely proud of our team and their delivery of this phenomenal capability to the Fleet today."
"The DMLGB is the result of our effective partnership with the U.S. Navy," said John Pericci, Business Development director at Lockheed Martin's Archbald, PA, facility. "This program is an example of how existing inventory can be cost-effectively upgraded into a next-generation precision-guided weapon system. DMLGB provides the Warfighter with an enhanced capability weapon that is highly effective against fixed, re-locatable and mobile targets."
Lockheed Martin was competitively selected to develop DMLGB and is working under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity $260 million Navy contract to produce kits. The DMLGB is an enhanced variant of the paveway family, with fire-and-forget capability and terminal guidance that make it a cost-effective precision-guided weapon system.
Paveway is a generic term, developed by the U.S. Air Force, for laser guided weapon systems. Lockheed Martin is a fully-qualified provider of paveway II Laser Guided Bomb kits and provides these systems to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and international customers. Lockheed Martin developed and produces the paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round. (Defro)