Lockheed Martin, prime contractor for Team US101 competing to build the next-generation fleet of helicopters for the president of the United States, has opened a program office adjacent to Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Local officials from St. Mary's County and Maryland's Business and Economic Development office joined Lockheed Martin executives to cut the ribbon officially opening the new Presidential Helicopter Program Office during a ceremony on Wednesday.

"We have partnered with St. Mary's County and the state of Maryland to create up to 100 high-paying jobs that will support the next-generation presidential helicopter fleet," said Stephen D. Ramsey, US101 vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin. "These jobs are part of a national economic benefit which includes a network of more than 200 supplier companies in 41 states that will create and sustain thousands of high-tech and manufacturing jobs across the country as we build and support the presidential fleet."

This week the first of Lockheed Martin's program staff will occupy 8,500 sq. ft. in an office building on Corporate Drive, adjacent to NAS Patuxent River. Full occupancy of 19,000-sq. ft. or more will depend on receiving the contract award.

"Our Pax River office is an integral part of our commitment to form an integrated product team with the Naval Air Systems Command," said Ramsey. "Opening the office at this stage ensures we will be fully engaged with NAVAIR prior to contract award to reduce risk and ensure a quick start to the program effort. This office demonstrates to our customer that if we are selected we will work side-by-side to jointly deliver and support an aircraft worthy of the name 'Marine One'."

The office opening occurs one week after Lockheed Martin broke ground on a new 176,000-sq. ft. Presidential Helicopter Facility in Owego, NY where electronic systems will be installed in the US101 aircraft. New York Governor George E. Pataki attended the groundbreaking.

The US101 is based on the EH101 medium-lift helicopter operated by NATO countries since 1998. Last year, EH101 aircraft flew more than 100 combat missions in Bosnia and Iraq.

"The US101 is the best helicopter for the president of the United States at this time of increased threat because it is safer, combat proven and has nearly 50,000 hours of flight operations," said Ramsey. "The president deserves the best helicopter in the world -- made right here in America by Americans."

Lockheed Martin leads Team US101 as prime contractor and systems integrator. Principal subcontractor AgustaWestlandBell, a joint venture between AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter Textron, will manufacture the aircraft in Texas. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY will install electronic systems.

For additional information, visit our website:

http://www.teamus101.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin