The Lockheed Martin -led F-22 industry team has awarded its prestigious "Raptor of Distinction" subcontractor award to EDO Corp. , Marine & Aircraft Systems Division of North Amityville, New York, for the company's outstanding commitment to providing the highest quality aircraft components at the lowest possible price. EDO builds the AMRAAM Vertical Ejector Launcher (AVEL), the aircraft subcomponent that both carries and launches the F-22's main armament -- the AIM-120 AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile) -- from the Raptor's internal main weapons bay. EDO was the only F-22 subcontractor to win this award for the year 2002.

"I'm pleased to note EDO's outstanding contribution to the F-22 program," said Dennis Pieczonka, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.'s director for F-22 program material management. "The company has unfailingly proven its constant commitment to meeting its contractual obligations in terms of cost, schedule, and performance, and I am proud to have EDO as a member of Team Raptor."

Each EDO-made, production-standard AVEL is worth approximately $175,000 or roughly $1 million for each F-22 ship-set of six launchers. Based on current production quantity projections of at least 339 Raptors, EDO is expected to receive contracts worth about $1 billion during the life of the F-22 program.

"Our involvement in the F-22 program is twofold during the next 40 years," said Greg Harte, EDO's AVEL program director. "First we build launchers, and then, following the cessation of production, we will serve as the depot for this particular item during the F-22's total life-cycle."

EDO Marine & Aircraft Systems -- on New York's Long Island -- is currently the largest single F-22 subcontractor located in the Empire State, employing nearly 150 people at the North Amityville facility alone. Overall, approximately 40 firms in New York State are involved in the Raptor program, and they are expected to receive production contracts during the next decade totaling almost $1.8 billion. Of those firms, about 30 are located on Long Island, along with EDO. "Long Island's proud defense and aerospace industry heritage is alive and well represented within the F-22 program," EDO's Greg Harte added.

The F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter is built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business unit of Lockheed Martin Corp., in partnership with Boeing. The Raptor is powered by Pratt and Whitney engines, and is made from parts and subsystems provided by approximately 1,200 subcontractors and suppliers in 46 states. Primary production activities take place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Marietta, Ga., and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as at Boeing's plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly and initial flight- testing of the Raptor occurs at the Marietta factory, headquarters for the F-22 industry team.

The Raptor will replace the venerable F-15 Eagle as America's premier front-line fighter jet starting in 2005. The F-22's balanced design of stealth, supercruise speed, and super-agility, along with its advanced integrated avionics and overall user-friendliness, will allow the F-22 to help shorten future wars and save American and allied lives.

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 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in Bethesda, Md., 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 Aeronautics Co., visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

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

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company