Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]’s small business initiative has awarded VMETRO, Inc., in Houston, TX, a contract to supply Vortex Data Recording systems to support Lockheed Martin’s work with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (Aegis BMD) Weapon System.
The Data Recording systems are based on VMETRO’s Vortex VME Open Data Recording platform and include playback of the recorded data over 10GbE. The Vortex system will be incorporated into Lockheed Martin’s instrumentation and test plan for the Aegis BMD Signal Processor (BSP). The Aegis BSP is in development and will be installed in Aegis BMD ships beginning in 2010. It provides an advanced discrimination capability to defeat more complex ballistic missile threats. The Aegis BSP has performed flawlessly in 10 at-sea test events over the last 12 months.
VMETRO’s Applications Group will develop application-specific software for the record and playback requirements. This initial contract is valued at approximately $600,000 with additional systems expected over the course of the multi-year program.
“The systems we are developing for the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency continue to benefit from our move to open architecture, which opens the door for innovative technologies from small businesses like VMETRO,” said Orlando Carvalho, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s business in Moorestown, NJ. “We are constantly seeking out small business innovators with technologies that support our customers’ needs and our ongoing development efforts.”
The Aegis Weapon System is the world’s premier naval surface defense system and is the foundation for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, the SM-3 missile and the weapon system’s command and control system. When integrated with the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System, the Aegis BMD Weapon System receives cues from and provides cueing information to other BMDS elements.
The Aegis Weapon System is currently deployed on 80 ships around the globe with more than 25 additional ships planned or under contract. In addition to the U.S., Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for Japan, South Korea, Norway, Spain and Australia. Japan will begin installation of Aegis BMD in its Kongo class Aegis destroyers in 2007.