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Lockheed Martin Missile and Fires Control in Grand Prairie, TX received a $14.6 million firm-fixed-price contract to upgrade 6 of Bahrain’s M270 rocket launchers to the M270C1 configuration.
M270 tracked launchers can hold up to 12 rounds of M26-M31 227mm rockets, or up to 2 ATACMS missiles that can strike from over 200km away. The nature of Bahrain’s upgrades was not described, but a number of American MLRS launchers were upgraded to M270A1 status under a 2000 contract by adding improved fire control and mechanical systems. The British followed suit with their own upgrades, and recently installed a unique set of modifications for Afghan use that include air conditioning, improved side and underbody armor, and a remotely-operated machine gun for close-in defense.
Lockheed Martin will also provide one lot of Unique Spare Parts, plus special test equipment, training, and computerized Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) for the upgraded machines. Work is to be performed at Grand Prairie, TX (40%), and East Camden, AR (60%), with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/11. One bid was solicited from the M270’s manufacturer, and one bid received by the U.S. Army’s Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W31P4Q-09-C-0311).