Lockheed Martin Picked as Integrator for Laser Defense System

General Atomics has selected Lockheed Martin Corp. of Bethesda, Md., as a weapons system integrator for the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System. The San Diego company's Photonics Div. is under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency contract to develop and demonstrate the lightweight, solid-state system. Lockheed Martin will support the company in developing the laser in a weapons system that can be integrated on a range of platforms.

Lockheed Martin has formed a team headed by its space systems business in Littleton, Colo., and including the aeronautics and the missiles and fire control divisions. SAIC of San Diego also is a key member.