The Spanish shipbuilder, Izar, on behalf of the Spanish Navy, today launched the second of four frigates that are part of its F-100 program. All four frigates will be equipped with the Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat System. The ship, Almirante Juan de Borbon (F-102), was launched in ceremonies at the Izar shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. In addition, the keel was laid for F-103 during today's ceremonies. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) is the combat system engineering agent on the F-100 program.

The first ship in the class, Alvaro de Bazan (F-101), is scheduled to be commissioned in October. The Spanish Navy selected the Aegis Combat System for its F-100 frigate program in 1996.

"This is an exciting time for all of us involved in this program," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin NE&SS. "We have an extraordinary, fully integrated team of Spanish and U.S. experts from the shipbuilding and electronics industries to produce Europe's most advanced and capable frigates. We're proud to be a part of the team and awed by the total commitment shown by every member."

The heart of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Weapon System is an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar, called SPY-1. This high-powered radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously with a capacity to track hundreds of targets from the wave tops to the exoatmosphere. SPY-1 is now available worldwide in various configurations, providing the U.S. and allied nations with the world's most advanced naval, surveillance, anti-air warfare and missile defense capabilities.

Lockheed Martin NE&SS provides surface ship and submarine weapon systems, antisubmarine 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.

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/

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X08535547

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems