Ampthill, Bedfordshire, January 5, 2011 – The Lockheed Martin UK-led Warrior Transformation Team (WTT) has successfully completed the latest series of live firing trials using its turret design for the Warrior Capability and Sustainment Programme (WCSP).

The trials, utilising the CT40 cannon and conducted at the Faldingworth Test Range in Lincolnshire, were further evidence of the maturity of the team’s turret design following the submission of its Revise and Confirm proposal for the programme to upgrade the British Army’s principal Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV).

The three-day trial saw Lockheed Martin UK and key Warrior Transformation Team partners oversee the firing of CT40 rounds in a combination of single shot and burst rates of fire, with the platform stabilised, using the Battlegroup Thermal Imaging sight.

The tests underlined the structural integrity of the turret system and the inherent accuracy of the integration.

Alan McCormick, Vice President and Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, commented: "This latest extension to our trials programme further demonstrates the capability of our Warrior upgrade solution. By taking a pro-active approach to upgrading this important asset, we will fully equip the Warrior vehicle to meet the challenges for many years to come. Our solution ensures that the vehicle will be ready for future tasks rather than compromising the British soldier by reacting to change."

The Warrior Transformation Team’s proposal introduces significant improvements to the vehicle including fitting and integrating the CT40 weapon system, an open Electronic Architecture system and improved armour protection. Significant cost savings have been made through re-use rather than fully replacing the existing turret structure, using the current rotary base junction, turret ring and reusing Battlegroup Thermal Imaging, although it will be fully stabilised to meet the fire on the move requirement.

Lockheed Martin UK’s partner companies include the Defence Support Group (DSG); Rheinmetall Defence (Weapon Mount); CTA International (CT40 Weapon System); SCISYS (Electronic Architecture); Meggitt (Ammunition Handling System); Ultra Electronics (power; Driver Instrument Panel); Thales UK (Battlegroup Thermal Imaging; sights) and Curtiss Wright (Servo System).

Mr McCormick added: "Following our contract with General Dynamics UK, and should we be successful with WCSP, the customer will also derive maximum benefit from synergies with the Scout reconnaissance vehicle programme. This will drive out cost and promote commonality."

• Lockheed Martin UK, a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a leader in systems integration, working on major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors. Lockheed Martin UK works with more than 100 business partners and employs over 1,700 people at sites across the UK.
• Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.0 billion.