Lockheed Martin announced today that the Pratt & Whitney (P&W) F100-PW-229 engine has been selected to power the F-16 currently being offered by the U.S. Government to become Poland's new fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Embassy announced the selection during a press conference today in Warsaw.

George Standridge, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Campaign Director in Poland, stated, "We are delighted to have Pratt & Whitney on the F-16 team. Its F100-PW-229 engine has an outstanding record of safety, reliability and performance. Additionally, the company has demonstrated a clear commitment to the establishment of a successful offset program. Together we look forward to providing Poland this superb combat-proven weapon system, and a long-term relationship between the F-16 industrial team and Poland."

"We are gratified and pleased with the confidence shown in Pratt & Whitney by the selection of the F100 engine," said P&W President Louis Chenevert. "We look forward to the Polish government choosing the F-16/F100 team and the start of a long and successful relationship with the Polish Air Force," he added.

Poland is poised to become the 21st nation to rely on the P&W F100-powered F-16 fighter. The F-16 is the world's most sought-after fighter. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered, hundreds more are on order for the United States and seven other countries, and production is expected to continue beyond 2010.

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.

Pratt & Whitney, the largest foreign investor in Polish aviation, has been in Poland for 27 years and today operates three facilities -- PW Kalisz, Aerotech Kalisz and PZL Rzeszow -- that employ more than 6,000 people. Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company based in Connecticut, USA, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

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