FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced a scholarship to aid wounded warriors of the United States armed services.

The Lockheed Martin Fighting Spirit Scholarship provides sports and physical activity programs for wounded veterans, with the honorees introduced as part of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl activities Dec. 23 in Fort Worth.

Lockheed Martin is sponsoring scholarships for two veterans, one for flying and the second for sailing, through two world-famous programs. The flying scholarship is conducted through Able Flight, an organization providing flight and aviation career training for people with a variety of physical disabilities, including wounded and disabled veterans. The sailing scholarship is conducted through the Warrior Sailing Program, which is dedicated to providing sailing certification and education for wounded, ill and injured U.S. military service members.

"The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is dedicated to the brave men and women who have made great sacrifices to defend the United States and our allies," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "We are honored to work with Able Flight and Warrior Sailing Program to give back to the armed forces community, and provide two veterans with an enriching, unforgettable experience of a lifetime."

After successful completion of Able Flight's six-week flight school, held at Purdue University's Department of Aviation Technology, the flying scholarship recipient will receive a call sign, earn a pilot's license and receive his or her wings at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in July 2017.

"It's especially gratifying to be working with Lockheed Martin, and we are extremely proud to have them join with Able Flight in continuing our long history of providing wounded warriors with life-changing experiences," said Charles Stites, Able Flight's executive director.

The sailing scholarship recipient receives a nationally recognized Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification after successful completion of the Warrior Sailing Program's Basic and Advanced Training programs.

"We are excited to partner with Lockheed Martin, a company that supports wounded warriors as much as we do, to help fulfill our mission," said Ben Poucher, program director at Warrior Sailing Program. "This scholarship program provides a unique opportunity for a service member to not only be introduced to sailing, but earn a sailing certification they can enjoy for life."

Able Flight and Warrior Sailing Program will each select one candidate for the Lockheed Martin Fighting Spirit Scholarship from the pool of applicants who apply through their respective websites.

Learn more about the Lockheed Martin Fighting Spirit Scholarship Program at LockheedMartin.com/FightingSpirit.

About Able Flight
Founded as a nonprofit organization in 2006, Able Flight provides flight training and aviation career training scholarships for people with a variety of physical disabilities, including wounded and disabled veterans. http://ableflight.org/

About Warrior Sailing Program
Warrior Sailing Program is an official program of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Sailing Foundation and offers the organizational and technical expertise to create opportunities ranging from introductory-level sailing through world-sailing competition. Programming is achieved through partnerships and collaborations within the sailing community, military programs and affiliates, with funding from generous supporters. The alliance between these working relationships allows Warrior Sailing Program to stay focused on improving the lives of service members with disabilities and inspiring a new outlook for participants and the communities in which they serve. www.warriorsailing.org

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.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company