The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization announced today
that two contracts for the concept definition study phase of the
National Missile Defense (NMD) Lead Systems Integrator have been
awarded to United Missile Defense Company, Bethesda, Md., and
Boeing North American Inc., Downey, Calif.
United Missile
Defense Co. is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Missiles &
Space Co., Sunnyvale, Calif.; Raytheon Co., Lexington, Mass.; and
TRW's Strategic Systems Division, San Bernardino, Calif.
The
contracts have a value of $8 million each and will cover a six-
month period of performance with no options.
The two firms will
develop analysis, plans and evaluations for numerous aspects of
the NMD program, including the interceptor rocket booster and
kill vehicle, radars, testing, deployment and operations.
At the end of the six-month contract period, one firm will
be selected for award of a contract to serve as the Lead Systems
Integrator for the NMD program.
The National Missile Defense program is designed to develop
a system which could protect the United States from a limited
ballistic missile attack.
The current plan is to develop NMD
component systems and conduct a system test in 1999.
If
warranted by a ballistic missile threat to the United States, a
NMD system could be deployed by 2003.
News media queries should be addressed to BMDO External
Affairs, (703) 695-8743.
