The Lockheed Martin A2100 telecommunications satellite series has received an industry award for reliability for the second consecutive year. Frost & Sullivan's 2004 Satellite Reliability Award is being given to Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) for excellence in the production of flexible and reliable communications satellites used in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).

The LMCSS A2100 had the lowest rate of anomalies of satellites in service for the second consecutive year, according to Frost & Sullivan. Of the major commercial satellite buses currently available and in extensive use, Frost & Sullivan concluded that the A2100 is the most reliable satellite now available for a majority of satellite services.

"Lockheed Martin's focus on superior manufacturing, technology, quality and customer service is the foundation of the A2100's operational and marketplace success," said LMCSS President Ted Gavrilis. "We are extremely proud to once again be recognized by Frost & Sullivan, an independent industry research organization, as the leader in satellite design and manufacture."

In evaluating the competitors, Frost & Sullivan assessed the number of serious anomalies for each common GEO communications satellite bus to determine the award winner. Each was then compared based on the number of satellites for which insurance claims were filed divided by the total number of spacecraft of its type in service.

In 2003, LMCSS received the Frost & Sullivan award for "Product of the Year" in recognition of the A2100's reliability. Calling it "the most reliable and efficient of its class," Frost & Sullivan cited the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for its "outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996."

With payload adaptability supporting a broad range of applications, the Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs, including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services; fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band payload configurations; high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum; and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band and S-band payloads.

The A2100's modular design features a reduced number of components, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost. LMCSS' Newtown, Pa. headquarters features state-of-the-art production, test, integration and assembly facilities for the A2100.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Media Contact: Dee Valleras, 215-275-1874; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com

For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see our web site at www.lmcommercialspace.com.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems