Lockheed Martin UK has been awarded a US$1 billion contract by General Dynamics UK to deliver 245 turrets for the SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV).

The contract to design, manufacture, integrate and test all 245 turrets will sustain 880 jobs at Lockheed Martin’s Ampthill site in Bedfordshire. A number of small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK which are involved in the supply chain to deliver the turret will also benefit from the production contract.

The first prototype turrets will be delivered to General Dynamics UK for assembly onto the SCOUT SV hull in 2015 ahead of the first vehicles being handed over to the British Army in 2017.

Stephen Ball, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK, said: “This contract reflects the significant investment we have made in our workforce in Ampthill and clearly demonstrates our ability to play a key role in the design and development of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the future. The award not only sustains a significant number of highly skilled manufacturing jobs at our Ampthill site but will also greatly benefit our UK supply chain partners with whom we will work to deliver this modern, leading-edge capability.”

Alan Lines, Managing Director at Lockheed Martin’s Ampthill site, said: “This contract is testament to the skills of our Ampthill workforce and its supply chain partners. It provides a platform for other potential contracts for armoured vehicles programmes in the UK and export markets.”