Two U.S. government-Lockheed Martin teams received the Department of Defense's highest acquisition award during a ceremony held today at the Pentagon. E. C. "Pete" Aldridge, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, presented the 2002 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award to the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) logistics team, led by the Missile Defense Agency and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) team led by the U.S. Air Force.

The Packard award recognizes DoD, civilian and military organizations, groups and teams who have made highly significant contributions and demonstrated exemplary innovations in the defense acquisition process. The award is named in honor of the late David Packard, a former Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Nixon Administration and strong advocate for excellence in defense acquisition practices.

"We congratulate the Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Air Force for their fine management of these government and industry programs," commented James Berry, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "THAAD and JASSM are important systems that will help to address two of the major transformational goals of the military. THAAD will help protect our deployed troops overseas, allies and our homeland from missile attack, while JASSM will support an enhanced power projection in distant theaters by providing long- range precision strike."

The THAAD team, which included the THAAD Project Office was recognized for creating innovative logistics concepts with the potential to significantly reduce operational and support costs throughout the missile defense system's service life.

The JASSM team, which included the JASSM Joint Program Office, the JASSM communities within Lockheed Martin, the 46th Test Wing, and AFOTEC, was cited for superior performance in developing a stealthy, state-of-the-art cruise missile in half the time of comparable programs.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and integrates world-class air defense, fire support, strike weapon, naval munition, combat vision, anti-armor and advanced product solutions and systems for U.S. and international armed forces. 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.

For information about the JASSM program visit: http://www.jassm.com/

For information about the THAAD program visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/factsheets/product412.html

For information on Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, visit: http://www.missilesandfirecontrol.com/

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

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control