Lockheed, Raytheon Win $900M to Develop Nuclear Stand-Off Missile

USAF Awards Contracts for New Nuclear Missile to Lockheed, Raytheon

(Source: US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center; issued August 23, 2017)

Lockheed and Raytheon have each been awarded a $900 million contract for initial studies of a new, long-range nuclear cruise missile to replace the AGM-86, seen here being dropped from a B-52H bomber. (USAF photo)

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --- The Air Force is on track to replace the aging AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile with modernized weapon capabilities designed for its nuclear bomber fleet, to include the B-21.

Today, the Air Force awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Company to mature design concepts and prove developmental technologies for the new Long-Range Standoff weapon.

"This weapon will modernize the air-based leg of the nuclear triad," said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. “Deterrence works if our adversaries know that we can hold at risk things they value. This weapon will enhance our ability to do so, and we must modernize it cost-effectively.”

Each company was awarded a contract of approximately $900 million, with an approximate 54-month period of performance. Upon successful completion of the contracts, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center will choose a single contractor for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development and Production and Deployment phases of the program.

The current Air-Launched Cruise Missile was first fielded in the early 1980s with a 10-year design life, and Lockheed and Raytheon are charged with developing the technologies and demonstrating reliability and maintainability of a replacement weapon. The aging ALCM will continue to face increasingly significant operational challenges against emerging threats and reliability challenges until replaced. The Air Force plans to start fielding LRSO in the late 2020s.

"Secretary Wilson and I are responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and presenting ready nuclear forces to the Strategic Command commander," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. "The Long-Range Standoff is a critical capability required to support Gen. John Hyten's war plans."

“The LRSO will be a reliable, long-ranging and survivable weapon system and an absolutely essential element of the nuclear triad,” Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, told the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee in May. “The LRSO missile will ensure the bomber force continues to hold high-value targets at risk in an evolving threat environment, including targets deep within an area-denied environment.”

“These contract awards mark another important step in replacing our aging Air Launched Cruise Missiles,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson, commander of the AFNWC and Air Force program executive officer for strategic systems. “Continued competition will help ensure the bomber leg of the nuclear triad is cost-effectively modernized with a survivable, reliable, and credible standoff capability.”

The LRSO program office, located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is part of the AFNWC Air Delivered Capabilities directorate. Headquartered at Kirtland AFB, AFNWC is responsible for synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of Air Force Materiel Command, in direct support of AFGSC. The center has more than 1,100 personnel assigned to 17 locations worldwide.

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Pentagon Contract Announcement

(Source: U.S. Department of Defense; issued Aug. 23, 2017)

-- Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, has been awarded an approximately $900,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Long Range Standoff weapon's technology maturation and risk reduction acquisition phase.
The contract supports replacement of the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile.
Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by 2022.
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

-- Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded an approximately $900,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Long Range Standoff weapon's technology maturation and risk reduction acquisition phase.
The contract supports replacement of the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile.
Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona and is expected to be completed by 2022.
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

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U.S. Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin $900 Million Long Range Stand Off Missile Contract

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Aug. 23, 2017)

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin received a $900 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop and mature technologies for the Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile program. Terms of the Technical Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) contract were not disclosed.

The TMRR phase of the program is a critical step in advancing technologies, systems and subsystems for the weapon program, leading up to the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development milestone expected in 2022.

"LRSO will provide the next generation strategic deterrent missile for the air-launched portion of the nuclear triad," said David Helsel, LRSO program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Lockheed Martin's proven experience in cruise missile and strategic systems technologies will provide the most reliable, capable, sustainable and affordable program in defense of our nation and our allies."

LRSO is a replacement for the U.S. Air Force's AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missile that has been operational since 1986. The LRSO weapon system will be capable of penetrating and surviving advanced integrated air defense systems from significant standoff range to prosecute strategic targets in support of the U.S. Air Force's global attack capability and strategic deterrence core function.

Lockheed Martin's LRSO industry team spans more than 800 people across 11 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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