Lockheed martin - leading defence integrator at dsei

22 September 1999

Lockheed Martin featured its integration expertise across a range of land, sea and air systems at the inaugural Defence Systems Equipment International Exhibition at Chertsey, near London, 14-17 September.

International project capability was featured in the Merlin maritime helicopter, Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) integration, air command and control systems, advanced radar and sonar sensors, electronic warfare, mine warfare and a range of integrated systems for command of the sub-sea and littoral battlespace.

The Corporation’s experience as an integrator is emphasised by a number of its companies including Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Owego, Lockheed Martin Ocean Radar & Sensor Systems, Lockheed Martin Government Electronic Systems, Lockheed Martin Launching Systems, Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin Undersea Systems and Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems (including Lockheed Martin ASIC). The latter is based in the UK with operations at Portsmouth, Swindon, Bristol, Yeovil and Culdrose.

Lockheed Martin is a major contributor to important UK defence, government and commercial projects. Highest profile currently is the programme delivering the Royal Navy's Merlin HM Mk1 helicopter as a fully functioning, ready-for-service multi-mission system, by 2001. Heading an international team of industrial partners that includes GKN Westland and Rolls-Royce; the company has met major programme milestones agreed with the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive, and is on track to provide the UK with a world-class maritime defence asset.

The deck landing on HMS Grafton by a Merlin from 700M Squadron, just prior to the Show, demonstrates the advanced status of this programme now in its intensive flight trials phase. This follows the major achievement in April this year when the Royal Navy's Merlin in-service date was met following on-schedule delivery of 12 production-standard helicopters.

A leading role in another Royal Navy programme, the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), was recognised officially when the MOD (PE) awarded the programme its Project of the Year accolade. Lockheed Martin's system integration role was crucial in enabling TLAM to be cleared for operation from Swiftsure Class submarine HMS Splendid, months ahead of the original schedule, securing its availability during the Kosovo crisis.

Exhibits emphasised Lockheed Martin's capability in areas that may be crucial to future national and multi-national procurements. These include the US Air Force Theatre Battle Management Core System programme (the corporation heads the team currently bidding for an integrated deployable UK Air Command and Control System), electronic warfare systems (as a tender is prepared for EW2000, UK's next-generation EW system), the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System now serving with 10 navies, advanced radars for warships, passive radar detection and comprehensive weapon fits purchased by the US Navy, Spain and Japan.

The roles of Lockheed Martin UKGS in ensuring operational readiness across the board, and Training and Simulation Systems are also illustrated.

Lockheed Martin UKGS, as part of Lockheed Martin Electronics Sector, is a broad-based high technology systems integration business, providing solutions to UK MOD and civil government customers.