Up to $41M to Lockheed Martin for Japan Aegis Modernization

DDG-173 Kongo(click to view full) Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, NJ received a $7 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5144) for Japan Aegis Modernization Lifetime Support efforts for Kongo and Atago class ships under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program (100% for Japan). Lockheed Martin will provide planning, scheduling, and execution support for Japan Aegis Modernization to support Kongo and Atago class destroyers, which are being outfitted with ballistic missile defense capabilities. The Kongo class is Japan’s 4th generation Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) and has a different appearance and contents from previous Japanse DDG designs, according to Globalsecurity.org. The Kongo is an improved version of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke class, displacing 9,485 tons (full load). It is a substantial departure for Japan in terms of size and capability in its surface fleet. Japan was the first country (outside the United States) to acquire the Aegis fleet defense system fitted to the Kongo-class destroyers. At least two improved Kongo-class DDGs were planned by the Japan Defense Agency Maritime Staff Office, with displacement of 7,700 tons standard to 10,000 tons full load, notes Globalsecurity.org. The first of these, the Atago, was commissioned on 15 March 2007. […]