Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force and the Italian Air Force have conducted joint tests as part of the U.S. Air Force's planned C-130J defensive systems upgrade program. The C-130J airlifter is produced by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation .

"The C-130J offers the most advanced defensive systems capabilities in the world," said Ross Reynolds, vice president C-130J program. "The enhanced ability to avoid radar and surface-to-air missiles enables the C-130J to conduct its mission even in a hostile war zone." The radar warning receivers (RWR) being installed on the U.S. C-130Js are critical to the aircraft's ability to defend itself in a war zone. The RWR alerts crews that the aircraft is being painted by hostile radar. Recent trials were conducted to ensure that the aircraft's new upgraded software functions with the RWR, and other elements of the defensive systems upgrades, to new U.S. Air Force specifications.

As the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI, Italian Air Force) C-130Js already have active radar warning receiver capability, they were able to provide an aircraft for the joint testing program. The U.S. Air Force funded the trials with Lockheed Martin serving as the technical and support advisor.

Software integration in the U.S. C-130Js is slated for completion during the fourth quarter of 2003. Once installation is complete, the U.S. Air Force will commence with its own Operational Tests and Evaluations before release for operations.

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/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-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 more information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For more information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company