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Lockheed Martin Provides SPAS-8B Acoustic Signal Processors to U.S. Navy for Spanish LAMPS Helicopters

OWEGO, NY, April 28th, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin has delivered six SPAS-8B Acoustic Signal Processors to the U.S. Navy for deployment on board the Spanish Navy's six new Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) MKIII SH-60B armed helicopters. The ruggedized, commercial off-the-shelf SPAS-8B processor is fully qualified for the environment of the SH-60B multi-mission maritime helicopter. Each eight-channel acoustic processor can sort data from up to eight sonobuoys, multiplying the accuracy and search area of each SH-60B helicopter during anti-submarine operations. The processor also provides a more technically sound tracking system at a lighter weight than previous processors, which will increase aircraft fuel efficiency and time-on-station.

The SPAS-8B processor is an outgrowth of the SPAS-4, a four-channel processor, developed by Sociedad Anonima Electronica Submarina (SAES) of Cartagena, Spain for use in the Spanish Air Force P-3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The SPAS-8B Acoustic Signal Processors was developed and manufactured in Spain. SAES developed the processors under a subcontract with Lockheed Martin. A major subcontractor to SAES on the SPAS-8B program, TECNOBIT, of Valdapenas, Spain provided the hardware procurement, environmental qualification and certain elements of the control software.

"Lockheed Martin is extremely proud to provide our Spanish industrial partners with the technical support necessary to ensure the acquisition of the first Spanish developed and manufactured equipment for a Spanish military aircraft," said Bill Vincent, director Spanish LAMPS MKIII Program at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "In a program that will extend the Spanish Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Lockheed Martin - SAES team has become a model of success for international industrial cooperation."

Lockheed Martin led the testing and integration of the SPAS-8B processors into the Spanish Navy's SH-60B helicopters based on its expertise as the prime systems integrator for the United States and foreign military maritime helicopter programs over the past 30 years. Lockheed Martin provided systems integration work on the U.S. Air Force HH-60D Combat Search and Rescue helicopter; Army Special Operations MH-60K and MH-47E; Air Force Special Operations MH-53M; the Navy MH-60R and MH-60S and the original Spanish Navy SH-60B.

Lockheed Martin also is working with Sikorsky Aircraft Company to upgrade two Spanish Navy SH-60B Block Zero Aircraft to the Block One/Armed Helo configuration. This work, underway at the Rota Naval Base in Cadiz, Spain is slated for completion this October.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego is a leader in providing advanced-technology products, services and systems integration solutions for defense, civil and commercial customers worldwide. Systems Integration - Owego is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corporation with headquarters in Bethesda, MD.

Regine de la Cruz (607) 751-2598, e-mail: regine.delacruz@lmco.com