Lockheed Martin’s Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb Successful in Series of Flight Tests

ARCHBALD, PA, March 24th, 2010 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb successfully completed a series of six flight tests March 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The Paveway II Plus LGB uses an enhanced laser guidance package, significantly improving precision when compared to existing Paveway II LGBs.

The Paveway II Plus systems were launched from altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 feet against a 24’ x 24’ billboard target angled at 45 degrees. Two GBU-10s and four GBU-12s equipped with MAU-209C/B computer control groups were released from a pair of F-16D Viper aircraft from Eglin’s 40th Flight Test Squadron. Each successfully initiated laser acquisition at the expected time and guided to the intended target.

“These tests demonstrated both the precision performance and consistency of the Paveway II Plus system,” said Joe Serra, senior manager for Precision Guided Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Our team took on the challenge presented by these tests and the system performed flawlessly. The new computer control group performed exactly as designed and guided the weapons to their targets with pinpoint accuracy.”

Lockheed Martin is a qualified provider of the Paveway II LGB, of all three variants of the Paveway II MK-80 series LGBs, and is the sole provider of the Paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round and Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb.

Paveway II LGB guidance kits improve weapon accuracy and reduce risk to U.S. and allied ground forces by converting gravity weapons into precision-guided munitions. Each kit consists of a computer control group, which is the front-end guidance system, plus an air foil group which adds stability fins on the back of each weapon.

Lockheed Martin’s LGB kits can be carried on U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and most international aircraft platforms currently authorized to carry and release LGBs. Kits are fully compatible and interoperable with existing Paveway II LGB logistics infrastructure, equipment, procedures and aircrew operations.

Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 55,000 LGB kits to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and international customers. Laser-guided bombs have been used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom and current overseas contingency operations.