BALTIMORE, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan Ministry of Defense recently ordered 19 AbleSentry® systems from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and its trading partner ITOCHU Corporation to provide detection and early warning of a possible chemical, biological, or radiological attack.

Designed for the tactical battlefield, AbleSentry is simple to deploy, operate and maintain. Using a sophisticated detection algorithm, the system's array of networked, remote sensors provides a high probability of threat detection, while minimizing the potential for false alarms. Networked sensors eliminate the possibility of a single sensor causing a system-wide alarm.

"The system's ability to provide information on where the threat is coming from and how fast it's moving gives battlefield commanders the advanced warning they need to make the decisions necessary to keep their troops out of harm's way," said Daniel Heller, vice president of new ventures for Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors business.

The new AbleSentry system is an evolution of Lockheed Martin's BAWS (Biological Aerosol Warning System) and EBAWS (Enhanced Biological Aerosol Warning System) platforms. The new system adds both chemical and radiological detection capabilities while utilizing the same footprint. The system has also been designed to minimize additional training needed by an end user familiar with BAWS or EBAWS. Since 2005, Lockheed Martin has delivered 24 BAWS and EBAWS systems to the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces. 

In addition to the detection capability, each remote sensor measures wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, location data and collects an air sample for subsequent biological agent confirmation and identification.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 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 net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin