FARNBOROUGH, England, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has signed an agreement authorizing Marshall Aerospace to become the world's first commercial company to install C-130 Center Wing Boxes (CWB). Marshall Aerospace is also the first C-130J Heavy Maintenance Centre (HMC) in the world.

"As we see the C-130J Super Hercules global fleet expanding, and the demand for the C-130J remaining strong, we need to expand our specialized support network around the world," said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin's vice president for Air Mobility, at today's signing ceremony. "Marshall Aerospace has unique capability in maintenance, repair and overhaul across all variants of the C-130 platform, including the C-130J Super Hercules, and we are proud of our relationship with them that has spanned many decades."

Steve Fitz-Gerald, CEO of Marshall Aerospace, said:  "We are delighted and extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with Lockheed Martin. It is an honour to become the world's first commercial Original Equipment Manufacturer-approved service centre for C-130J CWB replacement. Together with our existing unique C-130J HMC status, the enhancement of CWB replacement approval will position us perfectly for long term C-130J global fleet sustainment. This is a significant milestone for Marshall, and builds on our solid reputation for providing innovative engineering solutions."

Many C-130s around the world can have their service life extended by having the Center Wing Box replaced.  As the main load-bearing component of the C-130's airframe, it is this structure that usually determines the overall operational life of the aircraft.

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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About Marshall Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace is the United Kingdom's leading independent aerospace company and is renowned and respected worldwide for its quality of service, engineering excellence, flexibility and reliability. As an independent service provider, the company specialises in the conversion, modification, maintenance and support of military, civil and business aircraft; and its capabilities include engineering design, manufacture and test; and the provision of personnel, training and advice.

Marshall Aerospace holds many type approvals, granted by national and international authorities, airlines, airframe manufacturers and defence agencies, which enable the company to design and certify modifications and perform maintenance on a number of civil and military platforms. The company has one of the largest aerospace engineering teams in the UK - covering all aspects of design, test, certification and support, in civil and military regulatory environments - and is recognised for its innovative solutions and ability to deliver on-time and to-cost.

For further information, please visit www.marshallaerospace.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company