The work includes VLS tactical software updates, auto test equipment maintenance, and other engineering support for Baseline VII that will be performed at Lockheed Martin's Baltimore facility. In addition, $1 million goes to support the VLS Depot at the company's Life Cycle Support facility in Ventura, CA.

"This funding enables our industry partner, Lockheed Martin, to continue MK 41 VLS product improvement initiatives and maintenance activities in support of our nation's war fighters," said Toan Nguyen, Surface Launching Systems Project Manager for the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems.

"The most widely used vertical missile launcher in the fleet, the MK 41 is a high performance, survivable and versatile system that requires minimal manning and training, and is integral to the United States' sea-based ballistic missile defense program. Our open architecture design also enables us to continually upgrade the MK 41 and meet current and future threats to our nation's security," said Dave Broadbent, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ships and Systems line of business. "We greatly appreciate the U.S. Navy's continued support of the combat-proven MK 41 VLS program."

A below deck missile launching system developed by Lockheed Martin, the MK 41 VLS was originally designed for the U.S. Navy's Aegis-equipped guided missile cruisers to provide air threat protection for naval battle groups. The launcher's capabilities have been continually enhanced through a series of product improvement initiatives with the latest, VLS Baseline VII, being fielded in 2004.

Through its evolution into a multi-missile, multi-mission launcher, the MK 41 has revolutionized the way world navies think about sea-launched weapons. No other naval missile launcher is capable of launching missiles for every threat in naval warfare, including anti-air, anti-submarine, ship self-defense, land attack and ballistic missile defense. More than 11,000 MK 41 VLS missile cells have been delivered or are on order for 178 ships in 11 navies around the world.

Related Links
Lockheed Martin
Naval Sea Systems Command