Lockheed Martin has successfully completed acoustic testing of the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite. The Advanced EHF system will provide survivable, highly secure, protected, global communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense.

During the test, the fully integrated spacecraft was subjected to the sound and vibration levels expected during launch into orbit. The successful test, conducted at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. is one of several critical environmental test phases that validate the overall satellite design, quality of workmanship and survivability during space vehicle launching and on-orbit operations.

"Successful acoustic testing of this first of a new generation of military communications satellites represents another critical step in our march to the launch pad," said Leonard F. Kwiatkowski, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of Global Communications Systems. "We look forward to our continued progress on this sophisticated satellite and achieving mission success for our customer."

Completion of acoustic testing allows the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the Advanced EHF prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif., the payload supplier, to proceed with thermal vacuum testing which will validate spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on-orbit operations. The spacecraft will be shipped to the Air Force in late 2008 in preparation for launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.

One AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates will be five times improved. The higher data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, AEHF will also provide the critical survivable, protected, and endurable communications to the National Command Authority including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three Advanced EHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment to its customer, the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The program is in the early stages of adding a fourth spacecraft to the planned constellation.

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 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

Contact: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin