Martin Marietta Wins : Midgetman Missile Contracts Given

Two contracts worth nearly half a billion dollars have been awarded for assembly, testing and support functions for the single-warhead Midgetman intercontinental ballistic missile, the Air Force announced Monday.

The three-stage, 30,000-pound missile is to be deployed beginning in 1992 and will be based either in a fixed position or on a mobile launcher. Testing has begun on two scale-model, truck-like launchers, and a decision on how the missile will be based will be made in the fall of 1986.

Both contracts--totaling $447.6 million, of which $45.6 million was awarded Monday--went to Martin Marietta Aerospace Corp. of Denver, the Air Force said. The contracts will run for five years with three-year renewal options for all but the systems support contract.

“The contracts will provide for missile handling, missile and component assembly, flight and ground testing and system analysis functions,” the Air Force said.