Lockheed, Northrop to Bid on Missile System

Lockheed Martin Corp., the largest U.S. defense contractor, and No. 3 Northrop Grumman Corp. will head separate teams bidding on the design and construction of a global missile-defense system for the U.S.

Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed will team with No. 2 U.S. defense contractor Boeing Co. to bid for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor Program, the companies said. The program aims to use weapons from sea or space to destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles moments after launch.

The program would add another layer of missile defense to the rudimentary system that President Bush wants deployed by next year. Chicago-based Boeing has a $6.4-billion, five-year contract to manage that program.

Century City-based Northrop said it would team with Lexington, Mass.-based Raytheon Co.