The co-operation agreement between Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall includes continued development of a new variant of the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher (pictured above) for the German armed forces. (Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a new collaboration memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement, signed during the ILA Berlin Air Show held from 5 to 9 June, covers co-operation on land, air, naval, simulation, and maintenance, Rheinmetall said in a statement on 6 June.
Areas of particular interest include rocket artillery systems, laser weapons, simulation and training for ground vehicles and helicopters, and short-range air defence (SHORAD), among others, the statement said.
The MOU further develops ties between the two companies and will result in business opportunities for both firms internationally, Ray Piselli, vice-president International Business at Lockheed Martin, said in the statement.
It builds on co-operation on Germany's F-35 fighter jet programme and the GMARS variant of Lockheed Martin's High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), noted Dennis Goege, vice-president for Central and Eastern Europe at Lockheed Martin. It also takes Lockheed Martin's strategic collaboration with Rheinmetall to a new level that will strengthen relations with German and European industry, he said.
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
For more information on HIMARS, please seeM142 227 mm (6 round) High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) .
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