NEWTOWN, Pa., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] A2100 communications satellite series has achieved a major milestone by achieving over 400 cumulative years of successful, in-orbit operations.

"The versatile and configurable A2100 common platform offers both our commercial and government customers reduced cost and risk while ensuring mission success, high reliability and outstanding sustained performance," said Linda Reiners, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Ventures, a major line of business within Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "We leverage flight-proven standard products, streamlined processes and a highly skilled workforce to deliver robust satellite solutions for a diverse group of domestic and international customers."

The satellite fleet consists of 45 commercial and U.S. government communication satellites that are equipped with over 1,500 transponders transmitting data, video and audio for satellite operators worldwide.

In addition to commercial applications, the A2100 satellite series serves as the platform for several critical communications programs for the U.S. government, including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Mobile User Objective System.  

The A2100 has also been adapted for non-communication missions, such as Lockheed Martin's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R earth observing mission and the Global Positioning System III program.

"Each A2100 is built from a standard suite of components that can support multiple designs and functions," continued Reiners. "The A2100 also features the latest generation electric propulsion system using Hall current thrusters, providing a higher total thrust for a faster time to orbit."

The A2100 is the most recent satellite platform designed by Lockheed Martin throughout its 100-year history. In total, Lockheed Martin has delivered 101 commercial communications geostationary earth orbit satellites that have achieved over 1,000 cumulative, in-orbit years.

The A2100 satellite platform is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs, including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band, Ku-band and X-band, high-power direct broadcast services using Ku-band and mobile satellite services using EHF, UHF, L-band, and S-band payloads.  

The A2100's modular design features simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost. 

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 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 2012 were $47.2 billion.

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Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; dee.valleras@lmco.com

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin