Global security company Lockheed Martin was awarded a $34.5 million contract from the US Air Force for the production of paveway II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) GBU-12 kits. The majority share contract includes deliveries to both the US Air Force and the US Navy. It is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2011. The kits improve weapon accuracy and reduce risk to US and allied ground forces when compared to legacy paveway LGBs through implementation of a newly integrated combined hardware and software solution. The Air Force completed a Force Development Evaluation Program in October 2010, at Eglin Air Force Base in Fla. for paveway II Plus LGB, which included GBU-10 and GBU-12 weapons that were released from F-15 Eagle and F-16D Viper aircraft. The system does not require upgrades or modifications to aircraft, ground handling equipment or logistics support. The kits can be carried on Air Force, Navy and most international aircraft platforms currently authorized to carry and release LGBs. For more information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com