Lockheed Martin and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) announced a $21 million contract today for production of the anti-submarine warfare control system for the Republic of Korea Navy's new KDX-III destroyer program.

The contract expands a trans-Atlantic naval business relationship that began with work on Norway's Fridtjof Nansen Class F310 frigates.

"The best way to support our customers is through quality, capability and efficiency. Our work with KDA is a good example of how the right business relationships directly support our customers," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin's Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems unit. "When we team with other businesses, our goal is to create a synergy that makes all parties more competitive in the global market -- we see that happening today with the Lockheed Martin and KDA relationship."

"We are very pleased to have signed this first export contract for KDA as a result of the teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and KDA based on the Norwegian Frigate solution," said Tom Gerhardsen, president of KDA. "We are confident that our common solution has potential also in other programs, and we look forward to a further co-operation with Lockheed Martin."

KDA's first large-scale naval involvement with Lockheed Martin began with Norway's F310 program. The F310 currently includes five frigates equipped with Lockheed Martin's Aegis Weapon System technology, including the new SPY- 1F radar. Lockheed Martin is the program's lead, under Spanish shipbuilder IZAR, for the combat system development and integration. KDA is developing and producing the anti-submarine warfare system, the anti-surface warfare control system, and the navigation/bridge system.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., 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.

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

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin