A sign at the new Lockheed Martin Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is seen at the company's headquarters in Ampthill near Bedford, Britain June 9, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp LMT.N has been awarded a $480 million U.S. defense contract for air-launched rapid response weapon critical design review and test and production readiness support, the Pentagon said on Monday.