Lockheed Martin has submitted its proposal to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for the concept definition and program planning contract for the Next-Generation Aegis Missile.

The Next-Generation Aegis Missile will provide early intercept capability against intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile threats as a key element of the Phased Adaptive Approach, which will provide robust defensive capabilities against regional threats on a global basis.

It will be designed for integration into the Aegis Weapon System, with the Aegis BMD 5.1 and the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, both ashore and at sea.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to working in partnership with the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy to support the Next-Generation Aegis Missile program," said Doug Graham, vice president of advanced programs, Strategic and Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

"Our offer draws upon capabilities across our corporation to define a concept and program plan that provides a best-value solution for this critical addition to our nation's overall missile defense capabilities."

The Missile Defense Agency has announced that the 32-month concept definition and program planning phase will begin in 2011.

This phase will focus on defining design objectives, conducting trade studies to establish a technical baseline, reducing technology risk and developing an executable program plan. A competitive product development phase will follow.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill interceptor.

It also has considerable experience in interceptor design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.