NetFires, LLC, a partnership between Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Missiles and Fire Control, is the joint venture that develops and manufactures the system.

The NLOS-LS system consists of the Raytheon-built Precision Attack Missile, Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile and a joint Container Launch Unit (CLU). The system's innovative design focuses on a compact, networked, precision attack missile vertically launched from the CLU. The critical design element for the CLU is a light-weight, concentric canister that serves as the launch structure for the missile as well as the system's shipping and storage container.

The contract covers the system design and demonstration phase of the program that began in 2004 and extends through 2008. Initial guidance electronics system production is set to begin in 2009 to meet the Army's stated requirement to build more than of 30,000 Precision Attack Missile missiles.

"Louisville was selected for its lean manufacturing expertise, skilled work force and facilities necessary to meet the performance parameters for the Precision Attack Missile production," said Scott Speet, Raytheon's NLOS-LS director in Tucson, Ariz. "As part of the site survey process, the Louisville team was required to participate in numerous reviews to demonstrate its ability to meet the combined U.S. Army and Navy production requirements."

NLOS-LS provides commanders with immediate, precise and responsive fires on high payoff targets with real-time target acquisition and battle effects. The Precision Attack Missile is designed to attack both moving and stationary targets at ranges up to 40 kilometers. The missile includes a networked data link, providing in-flight updates to ground and airborne sensors and has a multi-mode warhead effective against both hard and soft targets.

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