Lockheed Martin today officially opened the F/A-22 Technical Support Center (TSC), a first in contractor sustainment support. The TSC is a one-stop center for all technical communications in the field concerning the revolutionary F/A-22 Raptor fighter, now being flown by the U.S. Air Force.

"This support center is another example of our strong partnering relationship with our customer," said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. executive vice president and F/A-22 general manager. "We all have a significant stake in sustaining F/A-22 Raptor aircraft and must do whatever it takes to support the maintainers in the field and pilots who fly these great aircraft. So far the U.S. Air Force is flying 49 Raptors whose mission is to ensure America maintains air dominance for the next four decades. Our men and women on the ground have come to expect that threats in the air and on the ground are dealt with so they can do their jobs."

Joining Lockheed Martin, its partners and team members at the event were U.S. Air Force airmen, who jointly staff the TSC. The center is the focal point for communications and technical support between the contractor team and customers at F/A-22 bases. TSC technicians have 24-hour access to technical data, engineers and program officials, thereby shortening the turnaround time of support services. This is a major improvement in the process that helps keep F/A-22 aircraft flying -- with less downtime due to parts and maintenance issues, benchmarking a new era in customer relations and support.

The F/A-22's balanced design of stealth, supercruise speed, supportability and super-agility, along with its advanced integrated avionics, will enable combat commanders to change the way future wars are fought -- shortening wars, saving lives and remaining relevant for the next 40 years.

The F/A-22 Raptor entered full-rate production in April 2005 after Department of Defense approval, transitioning the Air Force's premier fighter program to a new level of confidence and maturity. Another major program milestone, Follow-On Test and Evaluation, got under way at the end of August. This important testing focuses on the formidable air-to-ground capability of the Raptor as the Air Force prepares for Initial Operational Capability later this year at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

In addition to flying today with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, the F/A-22 Raptor flies at three other Air Force bases:

   * Testing is conducted at Edwards AFB, Calif.
   * Tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev.

* A full squadron of Raptors is based at Tyndall AFB, Fla., for pilot and maintainer training.

The F/A-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced 5th generation fighter, is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney. Parts and subsystems are provided by approximately 1,000 suppliers in 42 states. F/A-22 production takes place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Palmdale, Calif.; Meridian, Miss.; Marietta, Ga.; and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as at Boeing's plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly

and initial flight testing of the Raptor occurs at the Marietta plant facilities.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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 Web sites:
                      http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
                          http://fa22raptor.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Corporation