DALLAS (MARCH 11) PRWIRE - LTV Missiles and Electronics Group today announced
the signing of a memorandum of understanding with SNIA BPD, a leading Italian
defense and space organization, to develop and market an improved version of
LTV's Scout space launch vehicle. Plans to improve the Scout include the
addition of two SNIA BPD rocket motors and replacement of the current fourth
stage motors with a SNIA BPD motor already flight-proven on several European
Space Agency satellites. 

LTV Missile Division officials said that the SNIA BPD additions will give
Scout, a four-stage, solid propellant rocket, the ability to carry
significantly larger payloads.  Scout is currently capable of launching
payloads weighing up to approximately 475 pounds, almost triple the amount
carried on its first launch in 1960. 

Since that time, the versatile launcher, which has a 95 percent success rate,
has been the vehicle of choice for more than 100 missions, including
cooperative programs for Italy, the United Kingdom, West Germany, France, The
Netherlands and the 10-nation European Space Agency. 

The Missiles Division manufactures missiles, rockets and space systems and is
involved in a wide variety of advanced technological research and applications.
 It is one of three divisions of LTV Missiles and Electronics Group which also
produces electronics, avionics and military vehicles.