AVALON, Australia, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will provide media briefings on a broad range of products on offer to the Australian Defence Force and regional partners during the 2011 Australian International Air Show and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, being held in Geelong, Victoria, over March 1-4th.

The corporation's most comprehensive exhibit in the history of the Avalon air show will also highlight the long and close relationship Lockheed Martin maintains with the Royal Australian Air Force, as it celebrates its 90th Anniversary.

Lockheed Martin will post news, information and daily video highlights of its activities during the air show at www.lockheedmartin.com/avalon/.  In addition, journalists may sign up to follow the corporations Avalon air show activities on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LockheedMartin

Lockheed Martin Scheduled Press Briefings

Tuesday, March 1

12:45 p.m. – Airborne Multi-INT Laboratory - Multiple Options for Airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance – Conference Centre Room 1

Charles Gulledge, Strategic Business Development

Visiting Avalon this year is the Gulfstream III business jet-based Airborne Multi-Intelligence laboratory, which provides Lockheed Martin the capability to introduce to potential customers six innovative aircraft and ground station options that can be tailored to address specific customer intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements. Known as the "Dragon" configurations, certain airborne platforms can be customised to support individual customer military, homeland defense, disaster relief and humanitarian mission needs.

Wednesday, March 2 (all briefings will be held in Meeting Room 1, Expo Hall 'A')

9:30 a.m. – Air 9000/7 Helicopter Air Crew Training System (HATS) Teaming Launch

Dale Bennett, president, Global Training and Logistics.

The HATS program aims to provide a rotary-wing training capability for Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army aircrew to meet the future training needs of the Australian Defence Force. Lockheed Martin will draw on its global expertise to deliver an affordable and effective training system for ADF rotary wing aircrew by leveraging training delivery to government and military customers in multiple countries. Lockheed Martin annually trains over 22,000 aircrew in both fixed and rotary wing systems and, for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (see below), has designed and implemented a ground breaking 5th generation training system that matches affordability with innovation and unparalleled capability.

10:30 a.m. – C-130J "Super Hercules"/Airlift Roundtable

Jim Grant, vice president, Air Mobility and Special Operations Programs, Business Development.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is the world's most advanced tactical airlifter, with 12 aircraft already in-service with the Royal Australian Air Force, and an additional two planned for acquisition. Designed and developed with mission flexibility in mind − combat delivery, air-to-air refueling, special operations, disaster relief and humanitarian missions − the C-130J has a unique mix of agility and performance to consistently operate at very high tempo operations efficiently and reliably. The C-130J Super Hercules is the only airlifter with the range and flexibility for emerging theatres and evolving concepts of operation. This tactical transport aircraft has already proven itself in many kinds of missions, many in the harshest operating conditions possible.

11:15 a.m. – "Stalker" Unmanned Aircraft System

Tom Koonce, program manager, Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs.

Designed to be carried and operated by an individual soldier, the hand- launched mini UAS weighs 6 kg and has a wing span of 3 metres. The operational system includes a hand held mission control system and communications module that can control up to four vehicles simultaneously. With a lightweight, stealthy design and very low acoustic signature derived from the extended assembly crafted to accommodate the electrical motor, the "Stalker" is uniquely quiet in battlefield operations, making it highly suitable for Special Forces operational roles.

12:15 p.m. – Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Team Romeo Update

George Barton, director for Lockheed Martin Naval Helicopter programs; Al Alieri, vice president of Supply Chain, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Chris Clapperton, director for Maritime and Asia Strategies, Sikorsky Aerospace Services.

This briefing complements the MH-60R platform and mission systems brief carried out earlier on the USS Shoup. Lockheed Martin is expanding its base of potential suppliers in Australia for the "Romeo" helicopter, while Sikorsky, as part of the project Air 9000/8 offer, has proposed an innovative export plan based around the remanufacturing of surplus Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters formerly operated by the Australian Defence Force. Lockheed Martin is proposing to establish a number of long-term supply partnerships with local firms subsequent to the signing, on January 18, of a Global Supply Chain (GSC) Deed with the Commonwealth of Australia. Specific MH-60R supply chain contracts may be one of the first initiatives to be incorporated within Annexes to the GSC Deed.

Thursday, March 3

10:15 a.m. – F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Briefing – Lockheed Martin Chalet

Tom Burbage, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter.

The Australian Government has indicated that during 2011 it will sign an acquisition contract for an initial 14 (of potentially 100 aircraft) Block 3 F-35A Lightning II conventional take-off and landing Joint Strike Fighters (JSF). The JSF integrates advanced very low observable stealth into a supersonic, highly agile 5th generation fighter. The capabilities built into the Lightning II will provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness and unmatched lethality and survivability. The briefing will update the delivery profile for RAAF F-35s subsequent to recent program adjustments in the United States.

Other Media Visit Opportunities

Tuesday, March 1

10:00 a.m. –Tour aboard the USS Shoup (DDG-86)

An Aegis-equipped destroyer, the USS Shoup, from a US Navy carrier battle group currently returning to the United States from the Middle East will be present in Port Philip Bay during the Avalon air show week. On board the Shoup are two MH-60R "Romeo" helicopters, which will be present (one flying/one static) at the air show. Media registered to attend the Avalon air show are being offered an opportunity to visit the Shoup to inspect the MH-60R's naval aviation combat systems, as they are applied by the US Navy. Please RSVP to Trevor Thomas or Keith Little to be included as part of the media tour.

For additional information, visit our Web site:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/avalon/

SOURCE Lockheed Martin