During an engagement with the enemy, the MKV-L with its cargo of killvehicles will maneuver into the threat complex to intercept all lethaltargets, along with any countermeasures the enemy may deploy in an attempt totrick the system. With tracking data from the Ballistic Missile DefenseSystem and its own seeker, the MKV-L will dispense and guide the kill vehiclesto destroy multiple targets.

The full-scale prototype flew at an altitude of approximately 23 feet(7 meters) for 20 seconds, maneuvering while simultaneously tracking a target.

"This test demonstrated the integrated operation of the MKV-L innear-earth flight," said Rick Reginato, Multiple Kill Vehicle programdirector, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "This represents a majorstep forward for the earliest operational payload designed to destroy multiplethreat objects with a single missile defense interceptor."

The test was the first of several to prove MKV readiness for complexflight testing aboard the Ballistic Missile Defense System's ground-basedinterceptor currently deployed in Alaska and Southern California.

"Testing the payload in the ground-based, controlled flight environment atthe National Hover Test Facility enables us to verify interoperation ofcomponents and subsystems as they are incrementally developed and integrated,"said Randy Riley, MKV-L Hover Test Bed program director, Lockheed Martin SpaceSystems Company.

The MKV-L Hover Test Bed development team for the Missile Defense Agencyincludes: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., primecontractor; Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, Calif.; and OctantTechnologies, San Jose, Calif.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and thedevelopment of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including thefirst operational hit-to-kill missile. The company makes significantcontributions to nearly all major U.S. missile defense systems andparticipates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global securitycompany that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engagedin the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainmentof advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporationreported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

Media Contacts: Lockheed Martin: Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com Missile Defense Agency: Pamela Rogers, 256-450-1421; Pamela.Rogers@mda.mil

SOURCE Lockheed Martin