PALMDALE, Calif., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northrop Grumman/U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program's X-47B achieved successful first flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Feb. 4. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) congratulates the U.S. Navy and the Northrop Grumman-led (NYSE: NOC) industry team on accomplishing this significant program milestone.

Born from the former Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program, the X-47B is the Navy's chosen air vehicle for demonstrating and validating that a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft system can operate safely to/from aircraft carriers.

Lockheed Martin brings its expertise and experience in all aspects of low observable design and air vehicle survivability to bear in the design and manufacture of X-47B's aerodynamic edges, inlet lip and control surfaces, as well as the development of an all new arresting hook system.

"At Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, we are proud to have contributed to this historic event through our principal role on Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D team," said Al Romig, vice president of Advanced Development Programs for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "We continue to capitalize on new technologies and increasingly cost-efficient methods of manufacturing to benefit new systems such as this one."

Lockheed Martin completed delivery of its UCAS-D hardware in December 2009 and supported aircraft build, proof test and other activities in preparation for this successful first flight. Lockheed Martin will continue to support further UCAS-D flight testing, as well as carrier flight operations.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 132,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Lockheed Martin website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company