Lockheed Martin (NYSE:

) received a $27.1 million contract from the U.S. Army for the first phase of a three-year development program that will increase crew protection and update the Army's fleet of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270A1 mobile rocket launchers. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will upgrade, assemble and test seven prototype vehicles. Phase one is expected to be followed by a production contract for the Army's entire fleet of 225 vehicles.