HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Dec. 21,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos, a Fortune® 500 science
and technology innovator, announced today the delivery of the first
Enduring Shield launchers. The Enduring Shield program supports the
U.S. Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC
Inc 2) program, which is a critical part of the Department of
Defense's layered defense strategy.
Leidos celebrated the event with Huntsville-based employees via a large
gathering at its Chase facility. Speeches were given by
Larry Barisciano, Leidos Weapon
Systems Operations Manager; Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Officer (PEO)
Missiles and Space; Alex Burns,
Leidos Division Manager over the Enduring Shield program; Col.
Andrew Lunoff, Program Manager for
the Army's Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense
(SHIELD). Afterwards, employees and esteemed visitors were invited
to view all prototype units on the manufacturing floor while
enjoying light refreshments.
"We know how vital Enduring Shield is to our Army customer, our
warfighters and our nation," Barisciano said. "Delivering these
units today means so much to our team. We are proud to have reached
this point and are excited for the testing and fielding milestones
to come."
"This milestone by the Enduring Shield team is a prime example
of how Leidos Dynetics is working to build critical weapons systems
for our warfighters right here in North
Alabama. I'm incredibly proud of this accomplishment by the
team and look forward to our continued work with the U.S. Army on
this important program," Cook said.
Enduring Shield is a ground-based, mobile system that aims to
combat cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems. The system is
a key part of the solution to protect and defend critical civilian
and military infrastructure. It also bridges the gap between
tactical short range air defense and strategic systems. Enduring
Shield is able to integrate with the Integrated Air and Missile
Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), which was successfully
demonstrated in summer 2023. All units being provided by Leidos are
fieldable prototypes, which means if the need arises, the systems
can be deployed.
Leidos' Dynetics team was selected as the primary contractor to
develop the Enduring Shield system as part of the Army's IFPC Inc 2
program in September 2021. The
original delivery date for the launchers was scheduled for
March 2023, but supply chain issues
and technical challenges led to a delay in physical delivery.
However, Leidos and the Army worked closely together to integrate
and test different facets of the program to mitigate any potential
negative impacts to the system production and fielding target
timelines.
The Army will begin its Developmental Test program in 2024 for
the prototype launchers as part of the next phase for the
Department of Defense's layered defense strategy. Leidos is making
preparations at its Chase facility for the next order of launchers,
which is expected in 2025.
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science
solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest
challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets.
The company's 46,000 employees support vital missions for
government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual
revenues of approximately $14.4
billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022. For more information, visit
www.Leidos.com.
Certain statements in this announcement constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
These statements are based on management's current beliefs and
expectations and are subject to significant risks and
uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future
results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual
results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be
different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in
Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 30, 2022, and other such
filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to
reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the
date the forward-looking statements were made.
Media Contacts:
Alyssa
Pettus
Dynetics Group Communications Director
O: 571-526-6743 | C: 571-992-5499
alyssa.t.pettus@leidos.com
Mackenzie Hicks
Dynetics Communications Specialist
O: 256-964-4034 | C: 2556-929-5229
shawna.hicks@dynetics.com
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SOURCE Leidos