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Lockheed Martin Technology Enables Delivery of First UK-Built Hellfire and Longbow Missiles

ORLANDO, FL, December 14th, 1999 -- Lockheed Martin, with its principal subcontractor Shorts Missile Systems, will tomorrow deliver the first United Kingdom-produced Hellfire II and Longbow Hellfire missiles to the UK Ministry of Defence. The ceremony, to be held at the Shorts production facility outside Belfast, Northern Ireland, marks the first time the U.S. Army's primary anti-armor missiles have been produced outside of the United States and demonstrates successful transfer of the missile technology from the U.S. The missiles are the primary air-to-ground weapon systems of the WAH-64 Apache helicopter, which will provide the British Army with unparalleled anti-armor capability.

Sir Robert Walmsley, Chief of Defence Procurement, is expected to represent the UK Ministry of Defence at the ceremony.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract from Hunting Engineering Ltd. In 1996 to deliver missiles to the UK MoD for the UK Apache program. With Hunting and Shorts Missile Systems, Lockheed Martin has developed an industrial base of suppliers in the UK that can capably support current and future potential missile programs.

As part of the UK Apache Helicopter Program, Lockheed Martin transferred their state-of-the-art anti-armor missile production technology to Shorts and other component subcontractors. Shorts also provides final assembly of both missiles. Deliveries to the British Army will begin in June with completion at the end of 2003.

In a continuing partnership with the UK MOD, Hunting, and its manufacturing partners, Lockheed Martin is building a European base of teammates to produce and support efforts to indigenously produce Hellfire II and Longbow.

Known as the "Apache's Edge," Hellfire II is a principal armament for WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters serving British Army and seven other allied forces. Hellfire II is designed to counter ground and naval threats well into the 21st century.

The Longbow Hellfire missile is a radar-guided, fire-and-forget anti-armor missile system that, together with the Longbow Fire Control radar, transforms the Apache attack helicopter into a dominating adverse weather battlefield system. The missile is capable of locking onto targets before or after launch and has been tested extensively in multiple countermeasures environments. With a load of up to 16 missiles, the Apache can successfully engage and defeat several armor targets within seconds. The US Longbow missile program has received several prestigious awards including the 1998 Order of the Daedalians Franklin C. Wolfe Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding weapon system.

Located in Dallas, Tx. and Orlando, Fla., Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, a world leader in electro-optics, smart munitions, advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems, is an operating element of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration business unit based in Bethesda, Maryland.

Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351
e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com

Mary Jo Polidore, 407-356-2207