Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation , announced today that Mike Cosentino has been named director of Joint Strike Fighter International Programs. In the newly created position, Cosentino will manage the widely anticipated worldwide market for JSF.

"We expect a high percentage of JSFs to be sold to customers outside the United States," said Tom Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin JSF program. "We created this new position because of the vital importance of our international customers. The job will be an enormous and complex undertaking, but Mike has the talent and the experience in global aircraft programs to move JSF fully into the international arena."

In addition to the United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, JSF is being developed for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Canadian Department of National Defense. At least six other nations are weighing participation in the current System Development and Demonstration phase of the JSF program.

Cosentino will act as the executive-level coordinator for all JSF international activity, including Business Ventures and Business Development. He will ensure JSF international programs are conducted in accordance with contract requirements and existing procedures and processes.

Cosentino has 22 years of experience with Lockheed Martin and its heritage companies in a variety of key engineering, operations and program-management assignments. He began his career at Lockheed Martin's famed Skunk Works facility where he worked on numerous programs including F-117, U-2, SR-71 and YF-22. In his most recent position as C-130J deputy program manager, he had oversight responsibility for all C-130J domestic and international customer development, production, support and training, and offset programs. Cosentino led the development and certification of the C-130J with the FAA and all U.S. government and international customers. He also supervised the creation and implementation of the C-130J Block 5 modification/functionality upgrade and delivery program. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The JSF is a stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter designed to replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. Three variants derived from a common design will ensure JSF meets the needs of each specific service while staying within strict affordability targets. Lockheed Martin is developing the JSF in conjunction with its principal partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, 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 Joint Strike Fighter, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3 and U-2.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

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