WASHINGTON, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
announced at the Satellite 2005 conference here today that it has been awarded
a contract for an A2100 geosynchronous satellite by SES GLOBAL (Euronext Paris
and Luxembourg stock exchanges SESG), to be built for and operated by SES
AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company. The satellite, designated AMC-18, will be
located at orbital location 105 degrees West and will provide distribution of
premium cable programming across North America. Contract terms were not
disclosed.
"AMC-18, which is based on our A2100A platform, marks Lockheed Martin's
11th satellite ordered in the 1- to 4-kW small-class satellite range. It is a
testament to the A2100's versatile power capability and competitiveness for
small GEO-class missions," said Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems
(LMCSS) President Ted Gavrilis. "We are extremely gratified with the
continuing support from a world-class organization such as SES entrusting its
critical business requirements to Lockheed Martin and the A2100 platform."
Bryan McGuirk, Senior Vice President, SES AMERICOM North American Media
Services, said, "The plan to launch the AMC-18 satellite is a reflection of
the success of our HD-PRIME neighborhood on AMC-10 and 11 and underscores our
commitment to the growth of HDTV program services in the U.S." He continued,
"The AMC-18 spacecraft will take full advantage of the quality performance
heritage built into the A2100 since its inception more than a decade ago."
AMC-18 will carry twenty-four 36 MHz C-band transponders and will be used
to provide cable television services to the 50 United States and the
Caribbean. AMC-18 is expected to provide more than 15 years of design life
and is scheduled for launch during the second half of 2006. The satellite
will expand SES AMERICOM's fleet of satellites, which provide distribution of
cable, broadcast television and radio, telecommunications services, business
television and broadband data throughout the Americas and transoceanic
regions.
AMC-18 is the 14th A2100 series spacecraft designed and built for SES
AMERICOM by Lockheed Martin. In 2004, Lockheed Martin successfully delivered
four satellites for SES AMERICOM: AMC-10, launched in February; AMC-11,
launched in May; AMC-15, launched in August; and AMC-16, launched in December.
The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to
meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband
and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band payload
configurations, high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band
frequency spectrum, and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band and S-band
payloads. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts,
simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and
cost.
About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc.
is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services for
media, enterprise and government. Established in 1973 with its first
satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently
operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing
service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, SES
AMERICOM is able to provide bandwidth for media content distribution and end-
to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the
company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary
dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both
civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM
formed WORLDSAT to market its international satellites covering Asia and the
Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite
fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable
programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet
service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies,
educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with
efficient communication and content distribution solutions.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., 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. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion
Media Contacts: Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com
For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see
our web site at http://www.lmcommercialspace.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
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Related links:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
CONTACT:
Dee Valleras of Lockheed Martin,
+1-215-497-4185 or dee.valleras@lmco.com
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