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LOCKHEED MARTIN WINS $13 MILLION LAUNCHER CONTRACT

ORLANDO, FL, May 23rd, 2000 -- The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command has awarded a competitive $13 million contract to Lockheed Martin Millimeter Wave Technologies of Orlando, Fla. to produce 250 M299 Longbow Hellfire launchers. Lockheed Martin Millimeter Wave Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Under the agreement, the team of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and Marvin Engineering of Calif. will refurbish M272 launchers and provide engineering and depot services and spares. The contract includes the possibility of follow-on production for another 1041 launchers and options for multiple quantities to address international opportunities through the Foreign Military Sales system. The program will be managed in parallel with Lockheed Martin's AGM-114K/M Hellfire II and AGM-114L Longbow missile programs.

The M299 launcher weighs 145 pounds and supports four Hellfire II or Longbow Hellfire missiles. It is used on the Apache, AH-1W Cobra, and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. It is also used overseas on the UK WAH-64D Apache and the Turkish SH-70B Seahawk.

Michael Bennett, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control vice president of Air-to-Ground Missile Systems, noted that the award initiates "a significant new business line directly related to our successful Hellfire II and Longbow Hellfire missiles in service with the U.S. Army, the United Kingdom, and around the world. We are certainly pleased that the U.S. Army has enough confidence in our products and past performance to award the M299 to us. This contract effectively combines Army and contractor management of the weapon system and saves money by supplying both missiles and launchers from a single source."

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. Lockheed Martin Corporation, also headquartered in Bethesda, is a highly diversified 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.

Don McClain, 407-356-3355
e-mail: donald.mcclain@lmco.com