ORLANDO, Fla., May 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., of
Israel, signed a teaming agreement
to jointly develop, market, manufacture and support Rafael's Smart,
Precise Impact and Cost-Effective (SPICE™) guidance kits for U.S.
sale.
SPICE is a family of stand-off, autonomous, air-to-surface
weapon systems that provide affordable precision in a GPS-denied
environment. In use since 2003, SPICE is combat-proven and in
service with the Israeli Air Force and several other nations
worldwide.
"Access to GPS is becoming increasingly limited in contested
environments," said Mr. Yuval
Miller, executive vice president and general manager of
Rafael's Air & C4ISR Division. "SPICE provides
a solution to this challenge. Finalizing this exclusive agreement
sets the scene for our two companies to provide unmatched mid-range
guided air-to-surface weapon systems to enhance mission flexibility
and success."
The teaming agreement covers the SPICE 1000 (1,000 pound/453
kilogram weight class) and SPICE 2000 (2,000 pound/907 kilogram
weight class) kit variants. Over 60 percent of SPICE is already
manufactured in the U.S. in eight states.
"SPICE offers the U.S. Department of Defense and many allies a
capability that no other weapon currently in inventory provides,"
said John Varley, vice president at
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "By applying our
expertise in aircraft integration, mission planning and tailkit
design, along with our experience in affordable streamlined
production, we will adapt SPICE to meet U.S. standards so bomber
and fighter aircraft can benefit from the added mission flexibility
that SPICE offers."
About Rafael
With a legacy of 70 years, Rafael
Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. designs, develops, manufactures and
supplies a wide range of state-of-the-art defense systems for air,
land, sea and space applications for the Israeli Defense Forces and
its defense establishments, as well as for international customers.
Rafael is one of Israel's three
largest defense with over 7,500 employees and numerous
subcontractors and service suppliers.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
105,000 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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SOURCE Lockheed Martin