Missile maker Shorts Missile Systems (SMS) yesterday formally joined forces with Lockheed Martin to promote the Starstreak high velocity air-to-air missile for both the US Army and UK Apache attack helicopters.
In a second boost for the Belfast company, SMS and Thomson-CSF have agreed a memorandum of understanding with Lockheed Martin and the Longbow International joint venture for the initial phase production of the Hellfire. Once finalised the contract will be worth $37 million.
Integrated
The Hellfire II and Longbow hellfire anti-armour missiles for the UK Apache will be manufactured, integrated and tested by SMS in Northern Ireland.
SMS chairman Roy McNulty says: "This programme will be an important boost for Shorts. These agreements are further evidence of Shorts' market-leading capabilities in defence systems and of our role as a world-class partner with the world's leading aerospace and defence manufacturers."
Source: Flight Daily News