Lockheed Martin officials said today at the Paris Air Show that the company's solution to meet the U.S. Navy's requirement for a new maritime patrol aircraft also presents a low risk solution to countries looking to upgrade or acquire maritime patrol capability.

"Using the approach we are formulating for the U.S. Navy, we will have a maritime patrol platform that far and away represents the most cost-effective low risk solution for many countries," said Ted Samples, vice president, Lockheed Martin Special Mission and Reconnaissance Aircraft Programs. "Our unparalleled expertise in maritime patrol gives us tremendous insight into many countries' requirements. We have an affordable, low risk, readily executable program which will more than meet their needs and will be fully mission capable."

The Lockheed Martin MMA solution is a transformational weapon system consisting of three primary elements: a weaponized aircraft derived from the proven P-3 Orion; a state-of-the-art mission system that meets all MMA mission requirements today with ample growth capability for the future; and an integrated support system providing high availability at dramatically reduced operation and support (O&S) costs.

In February of this year Lockheed Martin received a $20.5 million Naval Air Systems Command contract for Phase II of the Component Advanced Development (CAD) portion of the Navy's Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft program. Last September, the company received a $7 million contract for Phase I CAD work. This CAD Phase II award is for 14 months, with work to be finished in April of 2004.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, 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, 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. The corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company