Nine Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems employees secured patents in 2002 for inventions that will benefit the company's customers around the world.

The inventors, who received a total of eight patents, are Allen Arndt, Scott Benjamin, James Hedin, Trevor McCollough, Robert Monson, John Raisanen, Wesley Revely, Michael Smith, and Rick Stevens. In addition, Monson marked a company milestone by securing a record six patents in one year, surpassing the prior record of five. The inventors were honored at a dinner hosted by Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems President John McNellis on November 25.

The patents awarded cover a wide domain of technologies including several for shock isolation systems intended for use on Naval ships. The shock isolations systems, which are similar to car shock-absorbers, are designed to withstand forces much larger than a typical automobile might experience. Other patents awarded include technology for rear-projection displays, which are similar to large screen televisions, fiber-optic communications used on state- of-the-art fighter aircraft such as the F-16; and for a database to manage product manuals and support. The database is able to dynamically build a product manual based solely on the options selected when a customer orders a product.

"The creativity and problem-solving skills of the honorees is essential to the success of Lockheed Martin. We can incorporate those technological advances into the solutions we create for our customers ensuring that they have the most updated products available," said Stephen Schultz, Vice President, Engineering, Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems.

Employee inventors significantly contribute to the growth of Lockheed Martin's business with patented inventions directly contributing to the development and improvement of multiple product lines. In the last 15 years alone, Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems employees have secured more than 100 patents.

Patents and intellectual property achievements are vital to Lockheed Martin and its customers, and the advancement of general United States scientific knowledge. In order for a patent to be filed, the technology must support current programs or advance the future business goals of Lockheed Martin. Through intellectual property, such as patents, inventors keep Lockheed Martin and the United States at the forefront of the technology marketplace. Patents grant inventors the right to exclude or prevent others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing the invention into the United States. Patents are issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and are generally granted for 20 years from the filing date, and provide exclusive rights to make, use, or sell products, or to use processes that utilize the invention.

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. In Minnesota, approximately 1,800 Lockheed Martin employees are engaged in space, systems integration and technology services activities for customers worldwide.

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

For information on Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems visit: http://ness.external.lmco.com/ /

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems