Successful First Flight for Lockheed Martin's New HELLFIRE II Missile Design

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) new
multi-functional AGM-114R HELLFIRE II missile scored a direct hit during its
first proof-of-principle (POP) flight test recently at Eglin Air Force Base,
FL. The HELLFIRE II design, now entering the qualification phase, features a
new multi-purpose warhead that enables a single missile to cover all of the
target sets of the current laser-guided HELLFIRE II variants.

The POP 1 flight test featured a lock-on-before-launch engagement of a
stationary target board at 3.2 miles (5.1 km). The team used a ground-based
laser designator to illuminate the target. The inert missile, which was
ground-launched, was equipped with an enhanced telemetry package. In addition
to proving out the new components and software, the flight also verified
backward compatibility with HELLFIRE II platforms that cannot provide
targeting information to the missile.

"The multi-functional HELLFIRE II missile is one missile for many missions,"
said Ken Musculus, director of Air-to-Ground Missile Systems Programs at
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Its multi-functional warhead
enables the AGM-114R to neutralize a broad set of targets previously covered
by four different warhead models - everything from armor and air defense
systems to patrol boats and enemy combatants in SUVs or caves. Warfighters
won't have to decide ahead of time what they might encounter and load the
appropriate combination of missiles; with the multi-functional HELLFIRE II,
they can meet many contingencies with a single missile."

Prior to the first POP flight test, Lockheed Martin completed a battery of
warhead tests, including 10 precursor warhead tests, four main warhead tests
and five tests of tandem warheads within the HELLFIRE guidance section. The
next two POP flight tests, scheduled for early next year, will feature live
warheads.

"This new HELLFIRE II can be fired from both rotary-wing and unmanned
platforms," Musculus said. "A new inertial measurement unit enables properly
equipped platforms to launch missiles at targets behind them without first
having to turn the aircraft around. Getting the missile on target that much
quicker gives the enemy less time to react or escape."

Musculus said many of the new improvements are software-driven. "We've
replaced a host of circuit boards, transistors and other hardware components
with software," he added. "Turning hardware into software contributes to the
modular design of the missile and offers an efficient path to future
upgrades."

With more than 25,000 rounds produced for the U.S. and 14 international
customers, HELLFIRE II has been successfully integrated with attack
helicopters in the U.S. and many Allied fleets. It is also capable of surface
launch from ground vehicles, tripods and small vessels. More than 10,000
HELLFIRE missiles have been successfully fired in combat.

Lockheed Martin performs all work on behalf of the HELLFIRE Systems, Limited
Liability Company and will produce the missiles at its manufacturing
facilities in Troy, AL, and Ocala, FL.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company
that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported
2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information, visit our web site:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Heather Kelly of Lockheed Martin, +1-407-356-5351, heather.kelly@lmco.com