Lockheed Martin Corporation today formally opened its Center for Innovation -- a unique, collaborative laboratory that will serve as a critical new asset in the nation's global war on terrorism, homeland defense and transformation of other government operations.

The Center offers the tools, environment and expertise to help create new operational concepts and powerful net-centric solutions to strengthen our nation's military effectiveness, bolster our country's security, and support other vital government missions.

"With this Center, we will assist our customers in their critical and defining moments as they face today's diverse and unpredictable global environment. Together we will help shape our nation's response through the development of integrated systems and net-centric solutions that are at the core of our customers' transformation," said Lockheed Martin President and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Stevens.

The Center's collaborative work environment along with its exclusive capabilities provides new opportunities to work with our customers to innovate, stress and analyze new systems and ideas necessary to counter emerging world threats.

Senator John W. Warner, R-Va., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, "Providing for our national security is one of our highest responsibilities as public servants and citizens. Here in Virginia, we are proud to have this high technology center join the many other assets in our state that are helping America fight the war on terror."

The 50,000-square-foot Center, located in Suffolk, Va., provides excellent proximity and connectivity with a number of military commands, national security and other government customers. The Commonwealth of Virginia supported the Center's development here as part of the state and local government's effort to bring new, high technology companies and jobs to the area.

"We are proud to contribute to the establishment of this important new facility in the Suffolk area," said Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner. "With our $50,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to support the City of Suffolk, as well as added backing from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Department of Business Assistance, we are pleased to support Lockheed Martin's presence here."

The Center offers capabilities unique to this industry. The initial work focuses on rapid prototyping, collaborative experimentation and exhaustive analysis to address our customers' most pressing needs and future requirements. These efforts include: advanced command, control and communications and information operations; joint force projection; logistics; surveillance and reconnaissance; missile defense; and homeland security.

"Our intent with the Center is to provide a collaborative environment for commanders, policy makers, operators, analysts and engineers to assess and experiment with new operational concepts and capabilities," said Stan Sloane, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Systems & Solutions business area. "Its extensive technical resources, including the first of its kind Global Information Grid testbed, ensure that the collaborative solutions developed here will push the boundaries of the information era and have a profound effect on our nation's ability to plan and execute vital national operations."

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 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

   For additional information, visit our websites:
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/innovation
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin