LOCKHEED MARTIN SELECTED TO UNDERTAKE MOD UAV STUDY CONTRACT

24 May 2000

Lockheed Martin has announced that it is one of four companies that have been selected to undertake UAV studies for the MOD Tactical UAV Integrated Product Team under the Smart Procurement Initiative process. SENDER is planned to be a state-of-the-art Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) system. It will provide a reconnaissance capability, which will support military operations of all types. These could include peacekeeping, airfield protection, or support to NATO and UN operations. The Assessment Stage 1 contract will define the optimum systems and designs to meet the MOD Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability requirement in more detail.

Following the announcement, Luther Durant, Business Development Manager for Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems at North Harbour, Portsmouth, commented "UAV technology is a rapidly expanding market. This contract opens the door for us to long-term UAV programmes, and represents a significant business opportunity for our company. In addition, the programme will allow Lockheed Martin to establish itself as an experienced prime contractor within the UK with knowledge of, and access to the UAV technologies required by the MOD." Mr Durant continued "Lockheed Martin is delighted to have been selected by the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) for one of the study contracts and is looking forward to working with the Tactical UAV Integrated Project Team (IPT) at MOD Abbey Wood."

The Lockheed Martin team will be led by Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems Ltd based in Portsmouth, Hants. The company will take on the role of Prime Contractor and Systems Integrator. The team will also include the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Palmdale, Hunting Engineering Ltd and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). The Palmdale facility will provide the UAV and sensor technologies, Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems will concentrate on Systems Support, Hunting will be responsible for ground-station and environmental requirement technologies and DERA will provide specialist UAV consultancy services.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Trippick
Communications and PR Programme Manager
Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems
Langstone Technology Park
Havant Hampshire
PO9 1SA

Tel: (023) 9244 3739 Email: chris.trippick@lmco.com