ATLANTA, Feb. 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today that Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has awarded EMS Defense & Space a contract for production and capability enhancement work on the millimeter wave radar antenna as part of its recently announced $122 million Technology Development (TD) contract for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program.
The U.S. Army's Aviation and Missile Command awarded the JAGM TD contract as a competitive development phase for the U.S. Armed Forces' next major missile program. The next-generation missile will be carried on rotary-wing, fixed-wing and unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms, and is designed to replace three types of missiles currently in the U.S. forces inventory. The airborne guided missile will be able to hit targets from greater ranges, switch sensors more easily and be maintained with greater efficiency.
"As Lockheed Martin's longstanding partner, EMS is excited to leverage our proven expertise for this critical phase of the JAGM program," said David Smith, vice president and general manager, EMS Defense & Space. "EMS hardware will allow the missile radar to penetrate bad weather, smoke and other elements for enhanced precision strike, and to lock on to the target regardless of launch platform."
"The JAGM program is a critical new system for our nation's Warfighters," said Frank St. John, JAGM program director, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Lockheed Martin and EMS Technologies will continue to apply the same commitment and disciplined performance proven in earlier risk reduction activity on JAGM technologies."
The U.S. Army is expected to award the JAGM contract for engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) to one of two prime contractors in late 2010.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a leading provider of wireless connectivity solutions over satellite and terrestrial networks. EMS keeps people and systems connected, wherever they are -- on land, at sea, in the air or in space. Serving the aeronautical, asset tracking, defense, and mobile computing industries, EMS products and services enable universal mobility, visibility and intelligence. For more information, visit www.ems-t.com.
EMS Defense & Space enables many of today's most advanced military and commercial applications. The division provides antenna capabilities for next-generation commercial satellites for entertainment and Internet connectivity. D&SS's customers include the world's best defense and space companies.
The EMS Technologies, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5502
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 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 more information, visit Lockheed Martin on the Worldwide Web at www.lockheedmartin.com.