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Lockheed Martin-Darlington, Inc. Team Completes Successful Functional Test on a Wide Area Network Core Communications Node for the Marine Corps

EAGAN, MN, July 12th, 2000 -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) Joint Enhanced Core Communication System (JECCS) Engineering Development Model (EDM) has successfully completed USMC Field Evaluation and Operational Assessment at Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC. JECCS provides basic long haul and tactical communications and network management services that meet the connectivity requirements of deployed Marine Corps forces. Lockheed Martin and Darlington Incorporated were awarded a $6.6 million contract in 1999 to develop this advanced communications system. This portable system reduces the footprint of currently used communications systems by 50 percent and is estimated to reduce the amount of setup time for deployment by 30 percent. "The system has been thoroughly tested beginning with the contractors Functional Qualification Test and ending with the Operational Assessment. The success of each of these tests is a testament to the system's dependability, maintainability, and suitability as an integral part of the Marine Corps communications architecture," said Major Holt, USMC, the Marine Corps Project Officer for JECCS.

JECCS establishes lines of communication when Marines and sailors leave the ships to operate on land, using commercial off-the-shelf communications and information systems and some legacy equipment and software. The system is housed in an S-788 shelter mounted on a M1097 (Heavy) HMMWV, transportable by C-130Hercules or CH-53 Sea Stallion and provides a small footprint communications node that meets the needs of the Marine Corps Enabler requirements.

The Operational Assessment EDM and a second EDM will be in the field (Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton respectively) for further evaluation and user feedback through June 30, 2000. The Government anticipates a production decision during 4th quarter FY 00. JECCS is procured through the AN/UYQ-70 program managed by the Navy with USMC Project Management through MARCORSYSCOM, Quantico, Va.

The Lockheed Martin business unit in Eagan, Minn., is the prime contractor responsible for management, design and integrated logistics support for all JECCS activities. Darlington Inc. of Wando, S.C., provided the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) integration, final assembly, test and integration of the EDMs. Q-70 teammate, DRS Electronics in Johnstown, Pa., was responsible for the mechanical integration of JECCS. The AN/UYQ-70 equipment is incorporated in the JECCS system.

A leader in designing, developing, packaging and producing militarized, ruggedized and COTS defense computer systems, airborne surveillance systems integration, and C4I programs Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Tactical Systems (NE&SS-Tactical Systems) serves customers including the Department of Defense and foreign government agencies. NE&SS-Tactical Systems employs approximately 2,300 at facilities in Eagan, Minn., Clearwater, Fla., and customer sites across the U.S., and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Tom Lindquist
(651) 456-2210 Telephone
(651) 456-2736 Facsimile