Lockheed Martin today opened its new Post Production Center of Excellence for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The center consolidates the company's FBM work performed in Florida for the U.S. Navy's Trident ballistic missile submarine fleet.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems FBM operations previously conducted in other facilities at Cape Canaveral and in the surrounding Cocoa Beach area have been consolidated in the center -- a renovated 70,000-square-foot government-owned facility. Lockheed Martin employs 185 people at the new center, which is responsible for a variety of Trident II D5 FBM deployed systems support activities.

"Cape Canaveral long has been an important location for the Navy's FBM program," said Tom Marsh, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, who led today's ceremony to mark the opening of the center. "By centralizing our Florida staff, we are achieving greater cost effectiveness while ensuring continued close support to our Navy customers," he noted.

"Our new Post Production Center of Excellence enables us to further increase the focus of our Eastern Range resources on supporting the Navy in its important and highly successful FBM program," said George Olson, director of test and support systems engineering, Lockheed Martin.

Officials participating in the opening ceremony included: Rear Adm. Charles B. Young, Director, U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs; U.S. Representative Dave Weldon (FL-15th District); Brig. Gen. Mark Owen, Commander, 45th Space Wing, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; and Capt. Jeff Gernand, Naval Ordnance Test Unit. Representatives of the Florida State Legislature, the Florida Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development, the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Enterprise Florida, and Brevard County Commissioners also attended.

Lockheed Martin is the Navy's prime strategic missile contractor and missile system program manager. Approximately 2,500 Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida, Washington and Utah, provide direct support to the design, development, production, test and operation of the Trident strategic weapon systems.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corporation 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. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

Media Contact:

Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; e-mail lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin