FORT WORTH, Texas, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered the first of 36 F-16 Block 52 aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force during a ceremony today at its Fort Worth facility.

Lockheed Martin is producing the F-16s under a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. The F-16s are being built in a configuration tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Iraqi Air Force, and the contract includes mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors.

"Iraq joins 27 other nations around the world who depend on the F-16 Fighting Falcon to maintain peace and security," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "We are proud to play a role in the defense of a new democracy and look forward to strengthening our partnership with Iraq."

This year the F-16 Fighting Falcon celebrates 40 years of evolution, and it remains the safest and most effective 4^th generation multi-role fighter in the world. The F-16 will continue to be the backbone of the U.S. Air Force for years to come, assuring proven support and sustainment throughout the life of Iraq's F-16 program. More than 4,540 F-16 aircraft have been delivered to date, and production is expected to continue through 2017, with major upgrades being incorporated for all F-16 versions.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 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 2013 were $45.4 billion.

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