Lockheed Martin's Central Florida businesses expect to gain new work worth more than $1 billion as a result of the Lockheed Martin-led team's win of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft competition, announced Friday.

Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control, Information Systems and Enterprise Information Systems, with more than 6,500 employees in Central Florida, are part of the winning team.

The JSF win signals a go-ahead for the team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS to produce an initial 22 aircraft in the program's $25 billion System Design and Development (SDD), formerly known as Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD), phase. The total program is valued at approximately $200 billion and will be a cornerstone of future defense capability for the United States and its allied partners. Plans call for more than 3,000 aircraft over the life of the program. The Joint Strike Fighter is designed to replace the A-10, the AV-8 Harrier, F-16 and certain models of the F/A-18. The JSF aircraft will be finally assembled in Texas with training, support and targeting systems developed and manufactured in Lockheed Martin's Orlando facilities.

"The United States' new multi-service JSF fighter aircraft will advance capabilities well into the 21st century and we are totally committed to provide the latest training and support systems necessary to ensure effective support for the JSF," said Lockheed Martin Information Systems President John Hallal. "Pilot and maintainer training for the JSF aircraft, as well as integrated support functions, will truly make this the most affordable and supportable combat aircraft ever produced. This development contract will affect the Orlando facility with employment levels expected to increase beginning late 2002."

"Stealth and the ability to engage targets over long distances are among the key attributes of the JSF," said Stan Arthur, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control President in Orlando. "The new electro-optical sensor system we developed will give Joint Strike Fighter pilots enhanced situational awareness and stand-off engagement capabilities, while maintaining the aircraft's stealthy characteristics."

The JSF uses an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) embedded under the aircraft nose and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) sensors at multiple locations on the aircraft. Missiles and Fire Control is teamed with Northrop Grumman Electronic Sensors and Systems sector for the JSF electro-optical system. "Our electro-optical targeting system is highly common with our Sniper XR targeting pod which the Air Force recently selected for its Advanced Targeting Pod requirement, another major high-tech program for Central Florida," said Arthur. "Together, these programs expand Central Florida's high technology manufacturing base and create opportunities for employment growth."

In addition to supporting Lockheed Martin Aeronautics information technology needs, Lockheed Martin Enterprise Information System's 24x7 help desk facility in eastern Orlando will provide global support to an international team of 182 partners and suppliers located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway.

The JSF award continues a series of recent contract wins for Lockheed Martin's Central Florida operations including Information Systems' $200 million Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System program, the $180 million Consolidated Automated Support Systems Test Program Sets integration program, and the $25 million Theater Aerospace Command and Control Facility program. Missiles and Fire Control's recent wins include contracts for an $80 million Arrowhead helicopter sensor program, the $843 million Advanced Targeting Pod program, and the $47 million Small Diameter Bomb program.

Lockheed Martin Information Systems is the prime contractor for all Navy and Marine Corps aircraft training. Lockheed Martin Information Systems provides automated test, support and logistics equipment and services to military customers worldwide. The Support Solutions group of Information Systems, will design, develop, manufacture, field, test and support the JSF Maintenance Information System, Support Equipment, and Customer Support Centers.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with additional base operations in Orlando, is a world leader in electro- optics, smart munitions, advanced combat, missile, rocket, and space systems.

With more than 3,500 employees throughout the U.S., Lockheed Martin Enterprise Information Systems provides information technology services and solutions to the Corporation's businesses.

Information Systems and Missiles and Fire Control are part of the Lockheed Martin Systems Integration business area, based in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin Corporation , with headquarters in Bethesda, is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin