Tom Burbage, general manager of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation , has won Flight International magazine's annual Aerospace Industry Personality of the Year award. The citation, given to the industry's leading newsmaker from the previous year, was presented Wednesday evening at the Aerospace Industry Awards 2002 dinner in Singapore, site of the Asian Aerospace 2002 exhibition.

Dain Hancock, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, praised the selection, saying, "We wholeheartedly agree with the judging panel assembled by Flight International and are gratified to see Tom receive this well deserved recognition. Tom did an outstanding job leading our team to victory in the Joint Strike Fighter competition, though he faced some very challenging times and tasks."

After seven years of competition, Lockheed Martin was awarded a U.S. Department of Defense contract last October to begin full-scale development of the F-35, the stealthy multi-service fighter that will replace thousands of aging aircraft in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. The program will eventually grow to fill the needs of several other countries as well. Burbage oversaw the critical final year of Lockheed Martin's victorious campaign.

"I'm extremely grateful and humbled to be named the Aerospace Industry Personality of the Year for 2002," Burbage said. "Like nearly everything that happens in our industry, this award is a result of teamwork. I have been fortunate to work with some outstanding individuals and teams throughout my career, and any accomplishments that I can claim would have been impossible without the efforts of many, many others."

In his 21-year industry career, Burbage has been tasked to fill many senior positions with Lockheed Martin, including leading the company's Marietta, Ga., site operation for more than a year. In addition to heading the JSF program, he has also directed the F-22 Raptor program, giving him direct experience leading the development effort for the world's two most advanced fighters.

Hancock added, "Tom is providing the leadership and oversight needed to get the JSF program off to a strong start. He is accomplishing all of this with an innovative, thoughtful approach to program management that is highly conducive to team member engagement and collaboration."

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Burbage had a distinguished career as a Naval aviator, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander. He completed the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School and accumulated more than 3,000 hours in 33 different types of aircraft. A native of San Diego, Calif., he also holds a master's degree in aeronautical systems and business administration.

Organized by Flight International magazine, the Aerospace Industry Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievements in aerospace over the past 12 months. More than 500 senior aerospace industry figures attended the awards presentation.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 JSF in conjunction with its principal partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, F-35, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3 and U-2.

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

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company