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Lockheed Martin Radar Selected for Pacific Alaska Range Complex

SYRACUSE, NY, June 3rd, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin today announced the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has selected the AN/TPS-77 transportable radar system for its Pacific Alaska Range Complex (PARC) under a contract worth nearly $14 million. This is the first time the USAF has procured this system for its own use, though it currently is in its inventory as a result of a direct foreign military sales contract. Under the new contract, awarded following a competition, Lockheed Martin will provide a radar system for deployment on a rocky, barren mountaintop located in the Alaska Range between Tok, Alaska, and Dawson, Yukon Territory. The site only sees good weather for about four months of the year and can only be accessed by helicopter. Once the site is set up with a radome, diesel tank and fuel system, the USAF will control it remotely from two terminals at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska.

"The radar system will help improve range safety and provide air space surveillance so that military pilots can safely maneuver around bush pilots and other aircraft in the area," said Denny Beres, vice president, radar/sensor systems for Lockheed Martin in Syracuse. "The radar's look down capability was especially important to the U.S. Air Force's range safety mission. Since the site is not easily accessible, the remote control capability was a must."

The AN/TPS-77 is the latest configuration of the world's most successful 3D, solid-state radar design. This L-band, tactical transportable radar provides continuous high-quality 3-D surveillance on aircraft targets out to 250 nautical miles and shares commonality with the AN/FPS-117 radar with regard to maintenance activity and Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). There are 127 AN/FPS-117 systems operational in 14 countries and many have operated for years completely unmanned in remote areas and in a wide range of operational environments.

Lockheed Martin will produce the AN/TPS-77 at its facility in Syracuse, N.Y., and will deliver it as weather permits in 2004.

A leader in the design, development and integration of radar systems, vessel traffic and port safety, simulation and training systems and other complex electronic systems, Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) - Radar Systems serves a wide range of customers. These include all branches of the U.S. armed services, including the Coast Guard, as well as other agencies within the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security and State, and defense and transportation departments of countries on six continents. NE&SS-Radar Systems employs over 3,000 people with facilities in the U.S. and three other countries, and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Kerri Ganci, 315-456-3328; kerri.ganci@lmco.com