GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been named the North American Biometrics Operations and Integrations "Company of the Year" by Frost and Sullivan, recognizing the Corporation's success in delivering innovative biometrics solutions that offer high levels of customer value.

"Lockheed Martin has a proud history of delivering biometric solutions that play an important role our customer's law enforcement and national security missions," said Linda Gooden, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions. "We are honored to receive this prestigious award in recognition of that work as we continue shaping the future of the biometrics industry."

Frost and Sullivan based the award on a rigorous analysis of the biometrics marketplace, including factors such as customer value, industry leadership, growth and performance. The award was presented at the Frost and Sullivan Best Practices Award Banquet, April 12, 2011, in Marco Island, Fla.

"Lockheed Martin's systems and services have gained wide acceptance for supporting customers in achieving greater levels of security," noted Neelima Sagar, Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "The Corporation exhibits high performance, unyielding reliability, and years of success in the biometrics industry. Their ability to operate in a price competitive market and gain customer satisfaction is another reason behind the high regard for the systems that Lockheed Martin offers."

Frost and Sullivan highlighted Lockheed Martin's role as the lead industry partner for several major government biometrics initiatives, including the FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) program, which will expand and enhance the Bureau's current identification capabilities. Lockheed Martin was also recognized for its role in developing RapI.D.™, a new DNA analysis system that leverages the latest in microfluidic research and development to accelerate the DNA identification process.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 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.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin