MOORESTOWN, N.J., Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has opened the Surface Navy Innovation Center (SNIC) to support the development of new technologies for the U.S. Navy. The SNIC is a research, development and demonstration facility that brings together industry, government and academia to design the next generation of capabilities the surface fleet needs to combat evolving threats around the world.

"The SNIC establishes a community space to promote rapid technology fielding that addresses the Navy's most pressing challenges," said Jim Sheridan, director of Aegis U.S. Navy programs. "As the maritime security environment changes, we will find new ways to use products and best practices to benefit the sailors who rely on these systems to defend our nation."

The center will foster collaboration among key organizations to rapidly develop emerging technologies and quickly put them into service. To stay ahead of threats, Lockheed Martin is committed to making ongoing improvements to its current systems and integrating the most advanced technologies to meet the needs of its U.S. Navy customers.

Building on Lockheed Martin's 100-year history of innovation, the SNIC also continues the development of the Aegis Combat System to meet new security challenges, building on the company's 40 years of partnership with the Surface Navy on this program. Aegis already is the premier naval combat system, globally deployed counter ballistic missiles and other advanced air and missile threats. The SNIC will serve as a collaboration space to continue Aegis' evolution, advancing modernization efforts and pushing the system to new levels of defense for sailors and citizens.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 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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SOURCE Lockheed Martin