C-130J PROVES TO BE A WINNER FOR UK INDUSTRY

LONDON, 09 December, 2004 - Lockheed Martin has registered another success with its C-130J Tactical Airlifter by announcing this week that it had completed its formal Industrial Participation (IP) commitment to the UK government. This milestone has been achieved some three and a half years ahead of schedule and remains today the largest single company IP commitment ever undertaken between a contractor and the UK MOD. In achieving its C-130J obligation of over £1B the company also provided UK industry high technology work on other Lockheed Martin aircraft including the C-27J, P-3, F-16, and F/A-22 fighters.

UK industrial involvement with the C-130J Hercules commenced in the early 1990's and began initially with a small number of UK suppliers. Since then the programme has grown to the point where it now includes a core of more than 40 first and second tier suppliers. Participation in the program has seen all tiers of the UK Aerospace and Defence industry provide systems and contribute innovative solutions and technologies which have enhanced the C-130J. In fact, some 150 UK companies including numerous SME’s (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) have been involved.

Ian Stopps, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK said “The C-130J is clearly a winner for UK Industry and will continue to be so as more and more aircraft are delivered and sold. In excess of 75% of the IP commitment we have achieved has been generated through work directly on the C-130J programme itself. To date 120 C-130Js have been delivered to 9 customers around the world and another 60 are on order. Indeed, UK industry could eventually benefit by more than twice the formal IP commitment to the UK Government”

Mr Stopps continued “We are extremely proud of the work performed by UK Industry on the C-130J and the benefits it creates for UK industry. The success of the IP program is not only about manufacturing equipment and providing services. It is also about Lockheed Martin providing indirect benefits like advice on market access, and with assistance on new processes such as ‘lean Leadership’ and technology transfer. We are particularly proud of our innovative approach to the development of the second and third tier levels of the supply chain. This ensures that these companies are equipped today with the skills to succeed tomorrow.“

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 at 9 sites across the UK.

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.

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For additional information, visit our websites: http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk 

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