Team US101 announces it has selected an additional seven companies in Texas to supply components and systems for the American-built US101 medium-lift helicopter. The US101 team is competing to provide the next-generation helicopter fleet for the President of the United States.

"Texas is a key state for the US101, and we are proud that Texans will be among the thousands of Americans delivering the safest, most technologically- advanced helicopter for the Commander-in-Chief," said Stephen D. Ramsey, Lockheed Martin's US101 vice president and general manager. "The US101 is the only three-engine, battle-tested helicopter available for the President's new fleet, and with the help of great Texas companies from Lewisville to Roanoke, the US101 helicopter will be as American as the workers who build it."

  The Texas-based companies are:

   Chelton Inc                                Lewisville
   Garlock Metallic Gaskets                   Houston
   Honeywell International                    Roanoke
   Mark IV - Luminator Aerospace              Plano
   Marathon Norco Aerospace Inc.              Waco
   Parker Aerospace - Stratoflex Division     Fort Worth
   Wilsonart International, Inc.              Dallas

The seven companies are among more than 200 suppliers in 41 states chosen to date by Team US101 to produce key elements of the President's next Marine One aircraft. Leading American companies on Team US101 include General Electric, Northrop Grumman, ITT and Kaman Aerospace. Over the course of the helicopter fleet's operational service life, 90 percent of the total life cycle costs will flow to Team US101's American suppliers.

Prime contractor Lockheed Martin leads Team US101 from its helicopter systems integration facility in Owego, NY. Aircraft production will take place at Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, an operation creating several hundred new jobs as the plant is expanded to house the new assembly facilities. Additional engineering support will occur at Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter's sites in Fort Worth.

The contract award from the U.S. Navy to build the presidential helicopter fleet is expected in December 2004.

Team US101 comprising Lockheed Martin, AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter Textron was formed to develop an American variant of AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multimission helicopter for the U.S. marketplace. Opportunities include a new Marine One fleet to fly the president of the United States, and combat search and rescue aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. The US101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise and experience: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor and systems integration), AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and Bell Helicopter (aircraft production).

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.teamus101.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin