Lockheed Martin was awarded a $78.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce the next evolution of hardware that will be incorporated into the Aegis Modernization and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) programs.

The contract to upgrade the Aegis Weapon System includes two BMD 4.0.1 Combat System equipment sets, three Weapon System Modernization Upgrade equipment sets and one Multi-Mission Signal Processor (MMSP) equipment set.

"This production contract represents an orchestrated plan to deliver new capability to the fleet on an aggressive schedule, while maintaining the operational quality that defines Aegis today," said Kevin Kenney, Manager, Systems Acquisition Division, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 1.0.

"This work will field improved ballistic missile defense capability and set the stage for full combat system modernization on all of the Navy's Aegis destroyers."

The BMD 4.0.1 equipment set, a significant upgrade to previously-fielded systems, includes the Aegis BMD signal processor, providing greater capability in detecting, tracking and targeting ballistic missiles than the signal processor now aboard BMD-equipped ships. BMD 4.0.1 will be installed on current Aegis BMD ships beginning in 2011, along with the associated computing suite, kill assessment system and operating consoles.

The Aegis Modernization Upgrade equipment sets consist of new tactical computing equipment, upgraded consoles and displays, a secure voice communication system and associated peripheral equipment.

The MMSP combines both anti-air warfare and BMD mission capabilities into one open architecture signal processor. The modernization equipment and MMSP will be installed in guided missile destroyers as part of Aegis modernization beginning in 2012.

"The modernization equipment sets and the Multi-Mission Signal Processor are all part of the continuing evolution of Aegis that will lead to the merger of Aegis Open Architecture and Aegis BMD in 2012," said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin's Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense Systems line of business.

"Aegis BMD 4.0.1 provides the next capability leap-ahead with the BMD Signal Processor, while the Multi-Mission Signal Processor is another step in the transition of those capabilities into open architecture, and is a key enabler to make all U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers BMD-capable."