OREANDA-NEWS. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Weibel Scientific A/S entered a partnership to apply Weibel’s legacy in radar systems to ballistic missile defense (BMD) by creating the Gap-Filling Tracking Radar (GFTR).

“Weibel currently produces a series of sophisticated Continuous Wave Doppler radar systems that are in operation throughout the world,” said Brad Hicks, vice president of Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors at Lockheed Martin. “Their experience and skill in radar technology, combined with Lockheed Martin’s BMD expertise, will help to extend our ability to detect, control and engage ballistic missiles to defend our nation and our allies.”

The GFTR will be designed and implemented to provide full and overlapping coverage against a broad spectrum of threats across the European continent. Its precision tracking and discrimination capabilities will enable warfighters to defend across large geographical areas including fully leveraging advanced capabilities being incorporated in the NATO European BMD architecture.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to integrate our NASA radar technology with Lockheed Martin’s leading BMD capabilities,” said Peder Pedersen, chief executive officer of Weibel Scientific. “We could not imagine a stronger partner than Lockheed Martin to support our advanced radar technology as we work to expand and upgrade BMD in the region.”

The partnership is part of an industrial cooperation agreement between Lockheed Martin and Weibel with the Danish Business Authority’s approval following the Royal Danish Air Force’s acquisition of nine U.S. Navy MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopters. The work will be completed at Weibel Scientific Facilities in Denmark and the Aegis BMD development site in Moorestown, New Jersey.