Defence Minister Robert Hill today announced that Gibbs & Cox will join Lockheed Martin on the Royal Australian Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program as the ship designer. Lockheed Martin was selected to provide the Aegis Weapon System in August 2004, and is the U.S. Navy's Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent.

"Through the Aegis Weapon System, Lockheed Martin has successfully supported delivery of six new classes of multi-mission, Aegis-equipped combat ships in four allied nations, each with unique requirements and designs. As the seventh new class of multi-mission, Aegis-equipped ship progresses, we welcome and look forward to working with Gibbs & Cox on this program of critical importance to Australia," said Orlando Carvalho, vice president of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors' Surface Systems line of business. "Lockheed Martin has an excellent and long-standing relationship with Gibbs & Cox, including work on the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class of Aegis-equipped ships, and the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship - a relationship with a history of delivering capability on time and on budget."

Mick Aylward, AWD program manager at Lockheed Martin Australia, added that Gibbs & Cox is a welcome addition to the AWD team.

"We look forward to working with the team and setting our sights on delivering the AWD on schedule and on budget. Gibbs & Cox will provide additional expertise to an existing strong industrial team, assuring Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation that Aegis ship design practices are fully leveraged," said Aylward

The Aegis Weapon System includes the SPY-1D(V) radar, the world's most advanced computer-controlled radar system. When paired with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, it is capable of delivering missiles for every mission and threat environment in naval warfare. The Aegis Weapon System has been deployed on more than 75 ships around the world, with 30 more ships planned. In addition to the U.S. and Australia, Aegis is the weapon system of choice for Japan, Korea, Norway and Spain.

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 website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin