Lockheed Martin has selected Aerosystems International, Ltd. (AeI), of the United Kingdom, as a partner in its team for Project Helix, a reconnaissance upgrade to the Royal Air Force's fleet of Nimrod R aircraft. The Nimrod R is the U.K.'s electronic reconnaissance aircraft that examines radio and radar emissions and provides electronic combat support to the military commander. AeI will offer its human-factors integration expertise to the Lockheed Martin-led team, as well as provide engineering expertise in other areas of the program.

"Aerosystems International brings to our team an understanding of the unique U.K. Ministry of Defence operational drivers for Project Helix," said Jerry Lindfelt, vice president of Lockheed Martin's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. "This improves our ability to provide the Ministry of Defence with the architecture required to achieve its strategic vision of a full network-enabled capability for future operations."

As lead systems integrator, Lockheed Martin's Integrated Systems & Solutions leads one of two teams selected by the U.K. Ministry of Defence for Project Helix's "program-definition" phase. One team will be selected for a "risk-reduction" phase in 2006. This will be followed by a system demonstration and ultimately a production contract for the electronic reconnaissance equipment starting in 2007.

AeI is a leading company in the analysis, design, development and delivery of complex, software intensive systems for the aerospace and defence sectors. It also develops cutting edge systems and smart technologies for various industrial applications. AeI is based in the United Kingdom, with offices in the United States. With more than 400 personnel, its range of skills allows the company to provide cost-effective solutions.

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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin