Lockheed Martin and Angeles Composite Technologies (ACTI) celebrated their Nunn-Perry Award for mentoring and supplier excellence today during an event at the ACTI facility in Port Angeles, Wash. The two companies participate in the U.S. Air Force Mentor-Protege program sponsored by the Department of Defense.

The Nunn-Perry Award, honoring former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and former Secretary of Defense William Perry, recognizes DoD's prime defense contractors who have significantly improved the business infrastructure and technical capabilities of historically underutilized businesses.

Through the program, ACTI, an Alaska Native-owned, small disadvantaged business, has developed the necessary skills to become a preferred DoD supplier of highly contoured, complex bismaleimide (BMI) composites - an advanced aerospace material used to make 5th generation aircraft lighter, faster, stronger and stealthy. Currently, ACTI manufactures BMI composites for the F-22 Raptor, positioning the company to qualify for work on the F-35 Lightning II.

"As a direct result of the mentor-protege agreement, this protege has gained capability that is almost exclusively held in the large business domain," said Gary Bailey, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Material Management. "ACTI provides the U.S. Department of Defense with enhanced capability to acquire, maintain and sustain sophisticated weapon systems using the latest manufacturing technology, while creating a more diverse and stable supplier base."

Also as a result of this relationship, due to improved quality and business infrastructure, ACTI has helped mitigate risk to the F-22 and F-35 programs through cost savings and quality improvements - ensuring future consideration for additional business.

Following is a summary of the Lockheed Martin-ACTI accomplishments during the two-year relationship:

  --  Significant technology transfer
  --  34% increase in sales
  --  23% increase in employment
  --  54% increase in profit

Three Historically Black Colleges/Universities participated in this endeavor as well. Based on unique expertise in both business infrastructure and composite fabrication, Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Center, North Carolina A&T, and Clark Atlanta University partnered with Lockheed Martin subject matter experts to enhance their skills to help implement state-of-the art manufacturing technology and concepts.

"Let me take this opportunity to offer my congratulations to [ACTI and Lockheed Martin] on being awarded the Department of Defense's Nunn-Perry Award," said U.S. Rep. Norman Dicks, representative for the 6th Congressional District. "This award recognizes superior achievement in helping sustain America's edge in manufacturing technology," he said.

"It is an honor to have been chosen with Lockheed Martin to win this Nunn-Perry award," said Michael Rauch, president and CEO of ACTI. "The business infrastructure and manufacturing technology gained through Mentor-Protege is high-technology manufacturing at its finest and most challenging, and ACTI is proud to be part of such an exciting and worthwhile endeavor."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company