Lockheed Martin Australia of Canberra and Acacia Research, Ltd. of Adelaide are teaming to pursue the combat system integrator role for the Royal Australian Navy's Future Submarine project, SEA 1000.

Under this Department of Defence project, 12 next-generation submarines are envisioned to replace Australia's six existing Collins-class boats. SEA 1000 is expected to be the Australian government's largest-ever single defence project.

Under the teaming arrangement, Lockheed Martin Australia will lead overall management of the program pursuit. Following contract award, it would develop and integrate an advanced combat system for the new submarine class, serving as the prime contractor and systems integrator. Acacia Research will be a principal team member.

The two companies already are working together to integrate some of Acacia Research's applied research into Lockheed Martin's generic combat systems architecture. They will leverage this work to pursue the Future Submarine programme.

"To meet the Royal Australian Navy's requirements for its Future Submarine combat system, Lockheed Martin has continued its practice of building an experienced team with core and specialty capabilities from the Australian defence industry," said Paul Johnson, chief executive officer, Lockheed Martin Australia. "Teaming with Acacia Research brings together world-class expertise in submarine combat system open architectures, underwater acoustics processing, tactical data management systems and systems engineering."

"For nearly 20 years, Acacia Research has focused on developing tactical picture compilation, data management and sensor support systems for the demanding submarine environment," said Ted Huber, director at Acacia Research, Ltd. "We look forward to the collaboration and are particularly excited by the prospect of contributing with Lockheed Martin Australia to the SEA 1000 Combat System program."

Since the 1960s, Lockheed Martin has provided the U.S. and international navies with high-performance, affordable and supportable combat systems for nuclear and diesel electric submarines. The company now focuses on an open systems architecture that leverages technology proven on the U.S. Navy's Virginia, Seawolf and Los Angeles class submarines. This unique architecture allows the system to be upgraded with new technology and capabilities so the submarines can be modernized for a greatly reduced cost over the life of the platform. Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide an advanced combat system for the Spanish Armada's S-80 diesel electric submarine program.

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

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Acacia Research, Ltd is a leader in submarine tactical data management and sensor data fusion techniques, as well as underwater environmental modeling, system architectures and integration.

Lockheed Martin Australia, a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation based in Canberra, is a leader in systems integration working on major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors. It employs more than 440 people at sites across Australia.

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

For more information about Acacia Research, visit: http://www.acres.com.au/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin