Lockheed Martin , Aerosonde North America, Inc., and Aerosonde Pty Limited today announced the establishment of a multinational strategic alliance to provide Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) solutions for domestic and international markets.

"Our customers' future requirements demand innovative solutions that support their missions with the technologies of tomorrow," said Tom Simmons, vice president of Fire Control at Lockheed Martin. "We are truly excited about working with Aerosonde in the expanding small UAS market. This alliance provides an excellent combination of Lockheed Martin's expertise in systems integration, advanced sensor and processing technology, and worldwide customer base with Aerosonde's world-leading small unmanned aircraft systems and technology. Simmons added: "Together we are pleased to offer our domestic and international customers integrated solutions to support their most challenging missions requiring small unmanned aircraft systems."

As part of the agreement, Lockheed Martin and Aerosonde will build, integrate and test advanced unmanned aircraft systems for customer demonstrations and trials. Lockheed Martin will also purchase Aerosonde aircraft, mission systems and services to carry out customer demonstrations and trials.

"After an international review of strategic options, Aerosonde is convinced that Lockheed Martin has the people, systems and advanced technology products to increase Aerosonde's presence in military and homeland security markets to a new level," said Peter Smith, Aerosonde chairman.

Greg Holland, president of Aerosonde North America, also welcomed the alliance. "The Aerosonde small, long endurance, multi-role UAS is already the benchmark, operating on four continents. Our alliance with Lockheed Martin will ensure that we remain at the leading edge of small UAS solutions, which we predict to be one of the major growth areas within the UAS market over the next decade," he said.

Aerosonde has developed a global data gathering business based on "The Aerosonde," a small robotic aircraft designed for long-range monitoring and surveillance. Initially developed for meteorological and environmental reconnaissance and data collection over oceanic and remote areas, the Aerosonde's unique characteristics have led to expansion into military and commercial markets. The Aerosonde UAV has several records to its credit, including the first unmanned aircraft in its class to cross the Atlantic Ocean (1998), using only one and a half gallons of fuel. Additionally, the Aerosonde was the first UAV to operate routinely in the Arctic (2000) and the first UAV deployment by the Australian military (2004).

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.

   For additional information, visit our web sites:
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
   http://www.aerosonde.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin