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LOCKHEED MARTIN CONDUCTS FIRST FLIGHT FOR SH-60R MULTI-MISSION HELICOPTER

OWEGO, NY, December 22nd, 1999 -- Lockheed Martin Federal Systems has completed the first test flight of the U.S. Navy's SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter, successfully demonstrating the aircraft's primary cockpit avionics. The test flight involved the first of two prototype aircraft planned under the SH-60R program. The second helicopter will be delivered to Lockheed Martin in late December, with flight tests scheduled for March 2000. These aircraft were originally delivered in the 1980s and are now being remanufactured to add new avionic systems, including the Lockheed Martin-developed Navy H-60 Common Cockpit and a mission system optimized for littoral (coastal) operations.

"This milestone is evidence of the cooperative efforts of our Navy customer and our dedicated Lockheed Martin team," said Lockheed Martin Federal Systems President Frank C. Meyer. "Our proven systems integration skills and our continued teamwork will enable us to complete the development of the U.S. Navy's most sophisticated maritime helicopter system."

Plans call for testing on the prototype aircraft at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, N.Y., to be followed by development testing and operational testing periods at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md. Subsequent flights will test the various elements of SH-60R mission systems, which include the Advanced Low Frequency Sonar, with expanded deep and shallow-water capability, and the new Multi-Mode Radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar and periscope detect modes.

The SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter program is valued at approximately $2.5 billion and encompasses the upgrade of approximately 243 aircraft through the year 2012. The Limited Rate Initial Production decision by the U.S. Navy is planned for second quarter of year 2000, based on satisfactory completion of test milestones. As part of the SH-60R program, Sikorsky, the U.S. manufacturer of the aircraft, will remanufacture the aircraft to extend its life to 2020.

Lockheed Martin is helping the U.S. Navy achieve its goal of fielding the SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter as the best possible war-fighting system available to fly and fight in high-density, information-intensive, littoral and open-ocean maritime environments. Lockheed Martin Federal Systems is the prime contractor with total responsibility to oversee all systems integration efforts.

A leader in providing advanced-technology products, services and systems integration solutions, Lockheed Martin Federal Systems serves defense, civil and industrial customers worldwide. Lockheed Martin Federal Systems employs about 3,800 employees at facilities in Owego, N.Y., Springfield, Va. and Portsmouth, United Kingdom and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.

Michael Drake (607) 751-2598