Lockheed Martin Corporation has secured a $4.8 billion contract from the U.S. Army to produce and deliver thousands of guided rockets for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
The contract, announced on Monday by the Department of Defense, covers the production of 43,000 GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rockets and 920 unitary warhead rockets. The GMLRS rockets are designed to provide precision strike capabilities against high-value targets such as enemy artillery, air defence systems, and armoured vehicles. The unitary warhead rockets are intended to destroy bunkers, tunnels, and other hardened structures.
The contract also includes options for additional rockets and services that could increase the total value to $6.6 billion if exercised. The work will be performed at Lockheed’s facilities in Camden, Arkansas; Dallas and Lufkin, Texas; and Ocala, Florida. The delivery of the rockets is expected to be completed by September 2026.
“This contract demonstrates the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our ability to deliver reliable, accurate, and lethal fire support to our warfighters,” said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We are proud to provide them with a combat-proven system that enhances their tactical flexibility and operational advantage on the battlefield.”
The GMLRS is a key component of the U.S. Army’s MLRS family of munitions, which also includes the Extended Range (ER) GMLRS that can hit targets up to 150 kilometres away. The MLRS is a highly mobile and versatile platform that can fire up to 12 rockets in less than a minute. It can also launch the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a long-range missile that can strike targets up to 300 kilometres away.
The MLRS has been used extensively by the U.S. and its allies in various conflicts since the 1991 Gulf War, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. It is also deployed by NATO and other partner nations such as Israel, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Lockheed Martin has been the prime contractor for the MLRS program since 2002 and has delivered more than 50,000 GMLRS rockets to date. The company says it is committed to providing the U.S. Army with innovative solutions that enhance its long-range precision fires capabilities and deter potential adversaries.
