Lockheed Martin and EADS Astrium announced today that they have signed a teaming agreement to ensure interoperability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) III and the European Galileo Satellite Navigation programs -- the world's two most important upcoming satellite navigation systems.

As two of the world's leading space system suppliers, the companies will perform systems engineering and technical assistance tasks for each other in the areas of interoperability, integrity and optimisation of joint constellation performance. Additionally, the companies will offer reciprocal bids on operational hardware and software within the policy and export constraints of both programs.

"This opens a new dimension of cooperation between two of the world's leading technology companies in systems that will benefit consumers for decades as the Galileo and GPS III systems come on line," said Reinhold Lutz, EADS Senior Vice President for Earth Observation, Navigation & Science.

"We look forward to making our 30 years of GPS experience available to the Galileo program to maximize performance and utility for all users of satellite navigation when both Galileo and GPS III are in operation," added Marshall Keith, Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems & Solutions Vice President for International Programs.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

For more information, visit http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

EADS Astrium is Europe's leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment.

EADS Astrium is a subsidiary of EADS SPACE. In 2005 EADS SPACE had a turnover of euro 2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of euro 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000. http://www.space.eads.net/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin