Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.'s F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter Program has been honored with the 2003 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. .

"The F-117 program's strategic approach to lean process optimization and its Total System Sustainment Partnership with the U.S. Air Force has made Lockheed Martin Aeronautics -- Palmdale the benchmark for world-class fighter support," said Gus Villanueva, F-117 program director. "This is a proud moment for the F-117 team. We are grateful that our employees' hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have been recognized."

Developed for the U.S. Air Force by the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the F-117 Stealth Fighter is the first operational aircraft to exploit low- observable stealth technology.

Effective manufacturing strategies employed by Lockheed Martin in the F-117 program have resulted in greater customer satisfaction and improved efficiency made possible by implementing lean practices, reducing total cost and improving capacity.

Administered by Utah State University, the Shingo Prize is considered one of the "triple crown" of industrial excellence awards, along with the Baldridge Award and the Deming Prize. The Shingo is named in honor of the late Dr. Shiego Shingo, a creator of the Toyota Production System.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

For more information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

For more information on Lockheed Martin Corp,, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company