The U.S. Department of Defense, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force have signed a contract with Lockheed Martin valued at approximately $20 million to collaborate on defining a C-130J avionics and hardware block upgrade program. With more than 100 C-130Js now in service worldwide, the operators are seeking to maximize the inherent potential of the aircraft. The C-130J is at the leading edge of transport aircraft technology, and as such, operators flying the aircraft want to be fully engaged in the spiral development of future capabilities.

Known as Cooperative Systems and Software Upgrade Requirements Management (COSSURM), the three-year program will ensure that enhancements and upgrades to areas such as radio communications, aircraft diagnostics displays and collision avoidance systems will be shared across the user community. It is likely that other C-130J operators will sign on to the COSSURM program as they receive their aircraft, and future customers will join COSSURM in turn.

"The C-130J operators are really starting to see the tremendous benefits of this new aircraft and the advantages of teaming on capability expansion," said Ross Reynolds, vice president of the Lockheed Martin C-130J program. "The operators and maintainers will bring insight to this program as they have firsthand knowledge, based on deployment experience, of what is most needed and when."

A total of 105 C-130Js have been delivered to date for the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command; the U.S. Marine Corps; the Royal Air Force; the Italian Air Force; the Royal Australian Air Force; the U.S. Coast Guard; and the Royal Danish Air Force.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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-27J, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. 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 additional information, visit our Web sites:
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
   http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company