Reflecting a need to prepare for anticipated growth and to meet the future operational needs of its key aircraft programs, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics today announced new assignments for three key executives.

"We are at an inflection point in our company with our F-35 Lightning II program and a number of other business endeavors," said Ralph Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics business area. "The F-35 will be the backbone of tactical aviation for the United States and its allies for the coming decades. At the same time, the C-130J, C-5M, F-16 and F-22 also continue in service or production.

"Our customers depend on each of these systems to carry out their critical missions. To ensure that Aeronautics is organized and aligned to successfully meet all of our commitments and responsibilities to our customers - on F-35 and all other programs - we are announcing some key organizational changes," Heath said.

  The following changes will be effective June 7, 2010:
  --  Dan Crowley is appointed chief operating officer of Aeronautics,
      responsible for the day-to-day operations and functions of the
      company. He has served since May 2005 as executive vice president and
      general manager of the F-35 program, leading the program through
      design/development and into production.
  --  Larry A. Lawson is appointed executive vice president and general
      manager of the F-35 program. Lawson has served as executive vice
      president and general manager for the F-22 Raptor program since
      December 2004.
  --  George Shultz is appointed vice president and general manager for the
      F-22 program. He has served as vice president and deputy general
      manager of the program since November 2008.

"Dan's contributions on the F-35 program and his demonstrated leadership in prior roles make him ideally suited to be the chief operating officer of Aeronautics," Heath said. "With F-35 aircraft designs completed, 16 of 19 test aircraft delivered, all three variants of the F-35 in ground and flight test including critical milestones of the first F-35B vertical landing and first flight of the F-35 mission systems aircraft, it's an ideal time to transition leadership as we prepare for rapid growth of the program in the years ahead," said Heath.

"We are confident that the F-35 and F-22 programs will be in capable hands with their new leaders, Larry Lawson and George Shultz," Heath said. "Larry led the F-22 team for six years helping to develop and field the first 5th Generation fighter in history. His leadership allowed the F-22 team to set new records for fighter performance, operational test, factory deliveries and performance based logistics. George proved his abilities as deputy on the F-22 program and program lead on the C-5M and is well suited to lead the F-22 into its modernization and sustainment phase, following the completion of production."

Charles T. "Tom" Burbage, executive vice president and general manager for F-35 program integration, will continue in his current position focused on sustaining and building F-35 international customer and industry partnerships, and will work closely with Lawson. In addition, Tom will also be responsible for coordinating all Lockheed Martin corporate resources to ensure F-35 program success.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company