Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, SAMPA Kogyo K.K. and Mitsubishi Corporation have formed a joint venture company that will serve the emerging combat system engineering and lifetime support requirements of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF).

The joint venture company, MLS Corporation, represents a full service partnership arrangement between industry and government, and leverages Japanese and U.S. industry expertise in life cycle support and integration services to benefit the JMSDF.

MLS Corporation products will include engineering support and testing of complex electronics equipment, logistics services, training, commercial-off- the-shelf (COTS) configuration management and application program maintenance and upgrades. The introduction of COTS technology into the defense market has resulted in the need for more efficient support models throughout a system's lifecycle. Through the MLS partnership, Lockheed Martin will transfer its proven models to Japan for application across JMSDF surface ship programs.

The Lockheed Martin business unit that will be part of the joint venture is Lockheed Martin Surface Systems in Moorestown, N.J. Lockheed Martin Surface Systems is the U.S. Navy's combat system engineering agent responsible for the design, integration and production of the Aegis Weapon System. Aegis-equipped ships are the U.S. Navy's primary surface combatants under construction today and will remain its principal surface combatant well into the 21st century.

As the leading technology solutions provider and integrator to the U.S. government, Lockheed Martin focuses on the defense, information technology and homeland security requirements of the military services and civil agencies. The corporation's advanced technology solutions draw on world-class capabilities in systems engineering and integration, complex project management, software development and information technology. These align with emerging homeland security requirements for enhanced command and control, threat information alert and exchange, border control, critical infrastructure protection and emergency management and incident response. Lockheed Martin Corporation is headquartered in Bethesda, M.D.

With more than 80 years of experience providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company has operations in 35 countries and recorded consolidated group sales of 3,649 billion yen (US$ 27.4 billion) in the year ended March 31, 2002. More information about Mitsubishi Electric is available online at http://www.global.mitsubishielectric.com/.

SAMPA provides the design, manufacture, repair, maintenance and system engineering services for on-board electronics systems for the JMSDF's surface combatants, including Aegis-equipped ships, submarines, aircraft and land-based facilities. More information about SAMPA is available online at http://www.sampa.co.jp/.

Mitsubishi Corporation has been Lockheed Martin's agent for marketing of the Aegis Combat System in Japan since 1997. MC is also one of the world's most diverse enterprises, with 780 subsidiaries and affiliates and its network of 36 offices in Japan and 115 overseas. The company's extensive network and wide-ranging activities give it a decisive edge in gathering the timely, accurate market information vital to success. The company's seven business groups -- New Business Initiative, IT & Electronics Business, Energy Business, Metals, Machinery, Chemicals and Living Essentials -- work closely with clients to develop new business opportunities. Project coordination, sourcing of raw materials, capital investments and development of sales channels are just a few of the ways Mitsubishi Corporation creates value for business partners, customers and shareholders.

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/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin