The Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) joint venture team has delivered a proposal to accomplish a far-reaching modernization of the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater forces -- those ships, aircraft, command and control, and logistics systems that protect the United States from 50 or more miles offshore.

ICGS -- composed of Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Surface Systems of Moorestown, New Jersey, and Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations of Pascagoula, Mississippi -- is a team with a 30-year track record of managing programs of large, national significance. "There is no better time to undertake this nationally significant program," commented Fred P. Moosally, president, Lockheed Martin NE&SS-Surface Systems. "Our team has a long-standing, outstanding relationship that can bring the innovation and cost-effectiveness that the U.S. Coast Guard wants and needs." Moosally stated further that, "Our experience developing and integrating complex, next-generation maritime systems gives us confidence that we can provide the systems and infrastructure that will allow the Coast Guard to meet its current and future missions."

The joint venture has brought together 100 companies from across the United States, as well as four international companies, to develop a comprehensive plan for the Coast Guard. The proposal submitted today is the culmination of work begun by that team in 1997. During the last six months alone, 200 employees worked diligently on the effort.

"Northrop Grumman Ingalls is excited to join with Lockheed Martin and our other partners in this joint venture," said Dave Wright, president, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations. "We have a long-standing, successful business relationship with Lockheed Martin, and we truly believe this experience will bring to the U.S. Coast Guard a `best value' proposal for the Deepwater Program. Our goal is to ensure that the Coast Guard remains `Always Ready,' well into the 21st century with the ships, aircraft and communications equipment needed to perform its most vital missions."

The Program was established to recapitalize those assets that support deepwater missions. These include Maritime Law Enforcement, Maritime Safety, National Defense, and Marine Environmental Protection. The Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater System Program is one of the most innovative programs in America today. Its purpose is to provide the men and women of the Coast Guard the systems they need to perform their duties more effectively, while saving tax dollars. Coast Guard Deepwater cutters are the 37th oldest of 39 similar fleets worldwide, and the demands on the service are greater than ever.

To face this challenge, and the approaching end of service life of many of these platforms, the Coast Guard initiated the Deepwater Capability Replacement Analysis Program. The program's acquisition strategy is the most innovative and aggressive in the federal government. It recently was heralded by the General Accounting Office as an innovative way to acquire new equipment over the long term.

Lockheed Martin NE&SS provides surface ship and submarine weapon systems; anti-submarine warfare and ocean surveillance systems; missile launching systems; radar and sensor systems; ship systems integration services; and other advanced systems and services to customers worldwide. NE&SS is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation headquartered in Bethesda, MD. The corporation's principal business areas are aeronautics, space, systems integration and technology services.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations, is headquartered in Pascagoula, Miss. It is a full service systems company for the design, engineering, construction and life cycle support of major surface ships for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and international navies, and for commercial vessels of all types. It is an operating segment of Northrop Grumman Corporation headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. The other business areas are defense and commercial electronics, systems integration, information technology and non-nuclear shipbuilding and systems.

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For information on Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems, visit: http://ness.external.lmco.com/

For information on Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, visit: http://www.northropgrummanshipsystems.com/

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SOURCE: Integrated Coast Guard Systems