WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A Lockheed Martin (NYSE:
LMT) executive said today that air mobility assets will continue to be the
cornerstone of America's ability to respond to crises around the world and
that the company's two primary air mobility platforms -- the C-5M and
C-130J -- are ideally positioned to play critical roles in carrying out
those missions.
Speaking to reporters at the Air Force Association's 2008 Annual Air &
Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin's
business development vice president for Air Mobility and Special Operations
Programs, acknowledged that budget pressures will continue to exist, but
predicted that air mobility recapitalization will be supported.
"The requirement to rapidly move people and equipment is at the very
heart of any military or humanitarian engagement," said Grant. "As the
lines between strategic and tactical airlift become increasingly blurred,
we see a strong demand from U.S. coalition partners around the world to
grow and strengthen their own airlift capability."
Grant said the C-5 modernization program will provide the United States
with unmatched strategic airlift capability. "The Avionics Modernization
installations are on track and development testing of the Reliability
Enhancement and Re-engining Program is complete," said Grant. "The next
critical step is operational test and evaluation, which will validate the
original vision for C-5 modernization."
"When it comes to tactical airlift, the C-130J is delivering truly
outstanding operational performance and we are delivering quality aircraft
on schedule," Grant said. "As we enter a 'pull' market where demand for
C-130Js is growing rapidly, our production rate will increase substantially
over the next several years. Additionally, we are expanding our sustainment
focus and building a global business of C-130 in-service support."
Grant said Lockheed Martin is looking at new and innovative
technologies to shape air mobility platforms for an unpredictable future.
"We are specifically focused in the area of composites and weight
reduction," he said.
Lockheed Martin is a pioneer in sustainment initiatives, offering a
number of flexible and individually tailored support solutions. The company
is a major supplier of logistics systems and services to military and civil
government customers, and provides solutions for platform maintenance,
modifications and repair, material readiness and distribution, and global
supply chain command and control.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007
sales of $41.9 billion.
For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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CONTACT:
Sam Grizzle of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Company, +1-703-413-5775, cell, +1-678-662-9162,
sam.c.grizzle@lmco.com
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