Lockheed Martin tapped for rocket pods and launch tube for GMLRS.

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract for rocket pods and launch tubes for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System.

An M270 multiple launch rocket system fires during a live fire training exercise at Rocket Valley, South Korea (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michelle U. Blesam, 210th FA BDE PAO)

The contract, from the U.S. Army Contracting Command announced Friday by the Defense Department, is valued at more than $20 million. Lockheed will develop and qualify rocket pods and launch tubes in support of future Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missions, according to the Pentagon.

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System is an all-weather, armored, self-propelled, fast deployed, multiple rocket launcher that has been in regular production since 1980 and can deliver precision strikes beyond the reach of conventional weapons, according to Lockheed Martin. ork on the contract will occur in Camden, Ariz., and is expected to be complete in Oct. 2019. More than $7.9 million will be obligated to Lockheed Martin from fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds, the Pentagon said.