Lockheed Martin today announced that Boeing Satellite Systems has joined its team in the competition to develop the U.S. Navy's next generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, known as the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS).

The team, composed of Lockheed Martin Space & Strategic Missiles, Sunnyvale, Calif., General Dynamics Decision Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Boeing Satellite Systems, El Segundo, Calif., will compete for the multi-billion dollar Pre-Acquisition System Definition and Risk Reduction/Acquisition and Operations phases of the MUOS contract, scheduled to be awarded by the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif. in first quarter 2004. The Lockheed Martin-led team is currently conducting architecture and risk reduction activities as part of a 14-month Component Advanced Development contract awarded in Sept. 2002.

"The addition of Boeing further strengthens our team's ability to provide the Navy with a best value solution to the MUOS requirements," said Leonard F. Kwiatkowski, vice president, Lockheed Martin Space & Strategic Missiles in Sunnyvale. "We are excited to combine our systems engineering, MILSATCOM, and commercial satellite experience with that of General Dynamics and Boeing; and the entire team is focused on improving our solution for the next-generation of mobile satellite communications to the warfighter."

MUOS is an element of the DoD's Advanced Narrowband Communications system and will replace the current Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system over the next two decades. The Navy's UFO system currently provides narrowband tactical satellite communications to Joint Forces and Coalition partners and was initially launched in 1993.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

General Dynamics Decision Systems, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a leader in products and systems for communications, situational awareness and information assurance for defense and industrial customers in the U.S. and abroad. More information about the business unit can be found at http://www.gd-decisionsystems.com/ . General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of $14 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at http://www.generaldynamics.com/ .

Boeing Satellite Systems, the satellite-manufacturing arm of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems, see our website at http://lmms.external.lmco.com/ /.

CONTACT: Steve Tatum of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, +1-408-742-7531, or pager, +1-888-926-2912, or stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company