Lockheed Martin will Expand Its Javelin Missile Facilities
ORLANDO, FL, April 13th, 1998 -- Lockheed Martin plans to expand the JAVELIN missile production and storage facilities at its Pike County Operations plant six miles northeast of Troy, Alabama.
At a groundbreaking ceremony today, Plant Manager Dennis R. Smith said a $2.8 million construction project will begin soon to add 21,000 square feet of floor space devoted to the JAVELIN program. An additional $10 million in new factory equipment also is on order.
The expansion became necessary to support a delivery schedule of more than 500 missiles per month during the years 2000 and 2001. Current deliveries are about 140 missile per month. The additional workload is also expected to require hiring some 80 new employees to the facility, which currently employees about 140.
The increased delivery rate is part of a $745 million three-year JAVELIN contract awarded to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon/Texas Instruments in June 1997. Javelin is a shoulder-launched, man-portable, antitank missile system designed to replace the Dragon. JAVELIN has a range more than two times greater than the Dragon and is effective against current and projected armor threats in degraded battlefield environments.
Lockheed Martin's Pike County Operations facility performs final assembly, test and storage of missiles in support of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Orlando, Florida. Missiles and Fire Control is a world leader in electro-optics, smart munitions, anti armor and air defense systems.
Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com
