Lockheed Martin and SELEX Communications, a Finmeccanica company, are collaborating on opportunities to offer a new obstacle detection and avoidance technology for U.S. civilian and military requirements, including the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

In response to a recent U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command "sources sought" notice for information about Cable Warning and Obstacle Avoidance (CW/OA) systems for the UH-60, Lockheed Martin and SELEX Communications submitted a response describing the Laser Obstacle and Avoidance Monitoring (LOAM(R)) system.

"SELEX Communications' new obstacle detection and avoidance system offers tremendous potential to improve helicopter safety for our men and women in uniform," said Stephen D. Ramsey, vice president, Helicopter Systems at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -- Owego. "We're pleased to be able to bring this technology to helicopter operators in the United States."

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Lockheed Martin and SELEX will share marketing information and jointly evaluate potential U.S. military and civilian markets for the technology. Lockheed Martin will act as prime contractor in the U.S. market.

LOAM(R) is an innovative SELEX Communications product based on sophisticated laser and imaging technology. The system enables helicopters to fly more safely by detecting potentially dangerous obstacles -- including cables as small as 5mm in diameter -- to give the crew a warning in sufficient time to avoid a collision.

The system has undergone a vigorous development and testing program and was recently awarded Flight International's 2005 Aerospace Industry Award for Avionics and Electronics at the Paris Air Show. LOAM(R) has already been selected for use in various programs, including the Italian NH90 TTH helicopter.

SELEX Communications is a C4I integrated systems supplier for land, sea and air applications. The company's skills encompass secure military communications, avionics, command and control, and land, naval and ground satellite communications systems. A wide range of products and a proven system integration capability enable SELEX to design and supply tactical military and professional telecommunications networks fully compliant to security emergency requirements.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

LOAM(R) is a registered trademark of the SELEX Communications, a Finmeccanica Company.

  For additional information, visit our websites:
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
   http://www.selex-comms.com/
   http://www.finmeccanica.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin