BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) are establishing new academic programs through a multi-million-dollar agreement that will develop the next generation of space engineers. The Lockheed Martin Radio Frequency (RF) Space Systems Research Center will boost engineering expertise at the school and create new curriculum to fill in-demand skills in the space sector.

The $3 million sponsorship by Lockheed Martin, spread over four years, will establish new academic programs focused on radio frequency (RF) systems. RF fields address commercial, civil and military needs for communications, radar and photonics. Engineers in this field will develop innovative approaches for tracking, navigation and control of spacecraft as well as next-generation global navigation technologies.

"Each person depends on RF technology in one way or another, from television and radio, to phone communications, to GPS navigation," said Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin's chief technology officer. "As the complexity of our satellite systems and national security solutions grows, so does our demand for world-class talent. This partnership ensures that University of Colorado graduates have the skills they need to build the systems of the future while also advancing Lockheed Martin's ability to develop revolutionary and relevant innovation."

"We greatly value our partnership with Lockheed Martin to propel our students, the aerospace industry and the state of Colorado to even greater heights," said CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano. "This partnership is particularly gratifying because of our long and productive relationship with one of the titans of the industry."

The industry-academic partnership will benefit students and faculty by creating:

• A new master of science in electrical engineering with an RF focus.
• A new, established path for bachelor's degree students in Aerospace Engineering Sciences to obtain a master's degree in Electrical Engineering. Similarly, those pursuing an Electrical Engineering bachelor's degree will have a path to obtain a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
• A Lockheed Martin Chair of RF Engineering, a faculty position dedicated to RF teaching and research.
• A Lockheed Martin Faculty Fellow, a professor supporting research and academic activities of a key faculty member in the new educational programs.
• Lockheed Martin Graduate Fellowships, consisting of graduate students working at Lockheed Martin or projects relevant to the company.

Students and graduates will be able to take advantage of the RF Payload Center of Excellence at Lockheed Martin's Waterton Canyon site, which is the company's hub for RF space technology development.

Lockheed Martin employees will also benefit from the new relationship. For example, the new RF-focused degree programs will offer unique skills training for employees who want to take advantage of opportunities in the RF Payload Center of Excellence, which has added over 60 jobs in the past six months.

The CU research center continues a strong partnership between the university and Lockheed Martin, a relationship that funds joint research programs, supports student design projects and facilitated a cubesat mission. Lockheed Martin has sponsored nearly $7 million in research at CU and is working to start new projects totaling $650,000 by the end of the year. In 2015 Lockheed Martin hired graduates from 15 CU majors, and the corporation employs more than 500 alumni working in its Space Systems division alone.

About the University of Colorado
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is the flagship university of the four-campus CU system. Founded in 1876, CU Boulder is a comprehensive research university with more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. CU Boulder is the Rocky Mountain region's only AAU Tier-1 research university, and its world-renowned faculty maintain a reputation for excellence in research, creative work and teaching across 150 academic fields. Five CU Boulder faculty have received the Nobel Prize since 1989.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.

Media Contact:
Lockheed Martin: Mark E. Lewis, +1 408-203-8093; mark.e.lewis@lmco.com
CU Boulder: Julie Poppen, +1 303-492-4007; julie.poppen@Colorado.edu

SOURCE Lockheed Martin