LOCKHEED MARTIN EQUIPS MERLIN HELICOPTERS WITH SOPHISTICATED SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

HAVANT, United Kingdom, Nov 1, 2004 – Lockheed Martin UK Ltd is providing new technology to enhance the capabilities of the Royal Navy’s multi-mission Merlin helicopters.

As prime contractor and systems integrator for the RN’s EH101 Merlin Mk1 helicopter fleet, Lockheed Martin UK is providing a sophisticated Electro-Optics and InfraRed (EO/IR) surveillance sensor to give accurate, real-time information and positive identification against small, difficult to detect targets.

The EO/IR pod will be temporarily mounted on an existing weapon carriage pylon on the side of the helicopter in a cost-effective solution, available night and day and in all weathers.  “This is an adaptable solution that gets the latest equipment to the frontline,” said Ron Christenson, Group Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Systems.  “Out of our own resources we have funded and inserted this new technology with great speed and low risk.  It will lead to a significant increase in capability for the aircraft.  

“Naturally rapid equipment fitting is only possible with close teamwork, and the considerable assistance from the RN, the Merlin IPT and the QinetiQ trials team at Boscombe Down has been most welcome.  The Merlin has already proven itself as a versatile and successful multi-mission platform from Operation Telic, and this deployment confirms that it is easily adaptable for many additional roles in the future.”

Lockheed Martin UK, a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a leader in systems integration working on major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence, civil and commercial sectors.  In the UK, Lockheed Martin has annual sales in the range of £400-600 million working with more than 75 business partners.  Lockheed Martin employs approximately 1,000 people across the UK at facilities including London, Havant, Southampton, Yeovil, Swindon, Hertford, Reading, Bristol and Cornwall.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. 

Notes to Editors:

1.      The EO/IR pod is a Wescam MX-15 (AN/AAQ-35), the latest generation of stabilised, geo-referenced camera turret to feature high magnification daylight cameras and thermal imaging.  It is used on both rotary and fixed wing aircraft to carry out real-time, tactical ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).

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