Lockheed Martin has received a $36.5 million contract from Inmarsat

(LONDON: ISAT.L) to develop technology that will enable Inmarsat to expand its market reach into the commercial handheld mobile satellite service market. Under the two-year contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver and install three Network Control Center/Gateways that provide connectivity to public terrestrial networks.

Inmarsat's fully modernized, global network to be implemented in 2008 will operate via satellite and will provide Inmarsat's customers with cellular service in even the most challenging locations. The network will rely on the existing Inmarsat I-4 Satellites and dual-mode Global System for Mobile Communications/Satellite handheld terminals.

"Our work on this contract leverages Lockheed Martin's expertise in systems integration of satellite and cellular communication systems adding a new capability that will enhance Inmarsat's time to market and service goals," said Gordon McElroy, vice president, Commercial and Federal Networks Division.

"We are delighted to have Lockheed Martin as our contractor on this important project," said Rupert Pearce, group general counsel of Inmarsat, who is leading Inmarsat's voice service project. "Lockheed Martin has tremendous domain experience, having partnered successfully with ASIA Cellular Satellite Network (ACeS) on the GEO-Mobile Radio (GMR-2) air interface from which we intend to evolve a next generation suite of products and solutions focused on voice services. We look forward to bringing a modernized, global service to market in the fourth quarter of 2008."

In the late '90s, Lockheed Martin was instrumental in developing the ACeS network, on which the current system operates. The existing handheld satellite phone network will continue on the ASIA Cellular satellite network until the global system being developed under this contract is completed in 2008.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin