Lockheed Martin to Begin Qualification Testing of 3-Cell ExLS in 2016

The VLS launcher is designed to protect smaller navy platforms

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Sep 15, 2015, 09:48 ET

BALTIMORE, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is concluding production of its 3-Cell ExLS Stand Alone Launcher designed to fire MBDA's Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) in October and will conclude qualification testing in late 2016.

The 3-Cell Extensible Launching System (ExLS) CAMM Launcher is specifically designed for smaller naval platforms that are unable to accommodate the larger 8-cell MK41 Vertical Launch System (VLS).

An MBDA Common Anti-air Modular Missile is ejected from a Lockheed Martin 3-Cell ExLS Launcher. The launcher, which is scheduled to be available in 2016, is designed for smaller Navy platforms that cannot accommodate the flexible 8-cell MK41 Vertical Launch System.

"One of the unique features of ExLS is the ability to reuse already qualified missile components, including canisters and their missile launch sequencing electronics, then adapt them to integrate into a MK 41 VLS using a host variant, or in a 3-Cell Standalone variant for platforms without VLS," said Jennifer Houston-Manchester, Lockheed Martin ExLS engineering program manager.

"The ExLS components are common for all platforms," said Tim Mansfield, engineering head of Sea Ceptor/CAMM new business for MBDA. "Using this approach extends the capabilities of the platforms, and reduces missile integration risks and costs."

The announcement follows the successful September 2013 test by Lockheed Martin and MBDA of the first launch of a CAMM from the MK 41 VLS using the host variant of the ExLS.

Lockheed Martin and MBDA announced in May 2013 a cooperative effort between the two companies to offer MBDA missile systems for use with the MK 41 and ExLS family of launchers. The system uses MBDA's soft vertical launch technology to eject the CAMM from its canister and position the missile for main motor ignition.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.

About MBDA
With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2014 MBDA achieved a turnover of 2.4 billion euros with an order book of 12.6 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development. MBDA is jointly held by AIRBUS Group (37.5%), BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), and FINMECCANICA (25%).

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin