Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company President Dain Hancock and Alenia Aeronautica President and Chairman Giorgio Zappa met yesterday in Fort Worth, Texas, to review a number of joint programs involving the two international defense firms. The two aerospace leaders discussed their companies' joint future business goals and objectives on programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the jointly developed C-27J Spartan.

"Lockheed Martin values the strong relationships it has developed with Alenia and its parent corporation Finmeccanica across a wide variety of programs," said Hancock. "We view Alenia and Finmeccanica as major players in trans-Atlantic defense cooperation. We value their insights and capabilities as a long-standing partner, and look forward to cooperation on such key programs as the F-35 and the C-27J."

"Alenia Aeronautica and Finmeccanica appreciate Lockheed Martin's support in developing and producing the new generation medium tactical airlifter the C-27J Spartan," said Zappa. "Thanks to our collaboration, the first two quantum goals have been reached such as Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) and Hellenic Air Force contracts. We are now aiming at other dramatically important markets, starting with the United States, and strengthening mutual relationships on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program."

Lockheed Martin has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with the Italian armed forces and industry. Last year, the Italian government joined the Joint Strike Fighter program as a participant in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. As a result, Alenia and other Italian industry will have the opportunity for significant participation in the F-35 program. This will include providing highly skilled engineers for the Fort Worth-based international project team to participate in the development phase of the program, as well as involvement during production of this revolutionary new fighter aircraft.

Lockheed Martin is also proud of its history with Italian tactical aviation. The AMI flew the T-33 trainer for many years and continues to operate the F-104 Starfighter. Today, Lockheed Martin is providing technical, training and spares support to F-16A/B aircraft provided by the U.S. government to Italy under a leasing agreement signed in March 2001.

Long-standing support of Italian military air transport is further strengthened with the C-27J Spartan. It is the result of a co-development partnership between Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin. Based on Alenia's proven G-222 design, the C-27J incorporates the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules' advanced propulsion and cockpit technologies to offer cost-effective tactical airlift capability and logistics commonality with C-130J operators. First flight of the C-27J occurred in early 2000 and most recently, the strong working relationship between Lockheed Martin, Alenia and Finmeccanica was evidenced by the sale of the C-27J to Greece and Italy. In Italy, the C-27J joins the C-130 Hercules which has been a mainstay of Italian military air transport since 1972. The aircraft also complements more recent deliveries to AMI of the C-130J, the newest model in the C-130 family.

The corporations are also partnering on international initiatives such the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and are exploring a range of collaboration opportunities in naval and ground-based radars.

Alenia Aeronautica, headquartered in Rome, Italy, is a European leader in aeronautics. Alenia, a Finmeccanica company, develops and integrates innovative military and civil aeronautical systems, operating from design and production to maintenance. Its activities are comprised of combat aircraft, military transport aircraft, mission systems, commercial aircraft (regional and aerostructures), modification and overhaul. Employing about 9,000 people, Alenia had 2001 value of production of $1,328 million.

Finmeccanica, headquartered in Rome, Italy, is Italy's second largest manufacturing company and its leading high-tech company. Core business is in the aerospace and defense sectors, but it also has significant know-how and manufacturing assets in sectors such as transport, energy and information technology. Finmeccanica controls over 100 companies in Italy and abroad, directly or indirectly, with a consolidated total of over 41,000 employees, and had 2001 value of production of $6,774 million.

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.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

For more information on Lockheed Martin Corp., visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; Alenia Aeronautica