Lockheed Martin UK to Provide European Hub for World's Largest Defence Programme
HAVANT, UNITED KINGDOM, March 31st, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin UK Ltd Integrated Systems announced today that it had been selected as the European hub to provide a secure computer network infrastructure to support the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme. It will allow companies across UK and Europe to share detailed information simultaneously - especially sophisticated design blue-prints - in real-time, across a secure network and with complete accuracy. The hub - also known as JSF EuroNet - allows rapid transmission of design data to and from the main Lockheed Martin JSF project office at Fort Worth in Texas. The service will reduce the costs of information supply and transfer to individual contractors whilst providing quicker access and improved levels of support.
The JSF EuroNet deal is worth about £2 million over three years and could lead to savings of upto £1 million over the same period. If, as projected, further British and European companies participate in the service greater economies of scale will generate even bigger savings.
Whilst the UK is the major international partner on the overall programme, other European nations involved in the current F-35 JSF System Development and Demonstration (SDD) Phase are Denmark, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and Turkey. Companies from the UK who are participating in JSF EuroNet include BAE SYSTEMS at Warton and Farnborough as initial signatories, with FR-Hitemp in Bournemouth, Goodrich in Wolverhampton, Honeywell in Yeovil, Rolls Royce in Bristol, Martin Baker in Uxbridge and Smiths Aerospace in Cheltenham all expressing keen interest.
Pete MacDonald, Chief Information Officer of Lockheed Martin UK Ltd Integrated Systems said: "The JSF Euronet will provide an essential shared service to our partner companies in six nations. The system can be scaled up to accommodate more companies and will provide essential cost and time savings, which will benefit the programme over many years.
"We want to become the European information centre for Lockheed Martin. It will assist our future business growth in this country and abroad."
The $19 billion JSF SDD phase contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin in October 2001 and is the largest defence contract in history, aiming to provide around 3000 aircraft to the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. In addition, there is the prospect of sales to the other partner nations and other interested countries.
Mark Douglas on +44 (0)20 7798 2850, or (mob) +44 (0)7879 444081: mark.douglas@lmco.com
Jeremy Greaves, on: +44 (0) 2392 44 3977 or (mob) +44(0)7887 506338: jeremy.greaves@lmco.com
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