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Lockheed Martin Receives Test Aircraft for US101 Configuration Studies

OWEGO, NY, July 10th, 2003 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received Tuesday an EH101 helicopter that will be used to demonstrate to U.S. government customers how the American-built US101 medium-lift helicopter can be configured for different missions. The test bed will further support the low risk involved in transitioning the EH101 platform to fly the President of the United States and rescue military personnel. Acquired from US101 teammate AgustaWestland, the aircraft was delivered to Lockheed Martin's Systems Integration facility in Owego, NY. It was the last of nine pre-production EH101 aircraft - the European variant of the US101 - built for flight-testing in the 1990s. During a rigorous 6,000-hour flight test program, the aircraft performed a transatlantic flight from the UK to Canada.

"The availability of this aircraft test article in the United States to tangibly demonstrate multiple configurations of the US101 helicopter is the best way to show American customers the low risk associated with adapting this proven platform for executive transport and warfighters," said Stephen D. Ramsey, vice president and general manager of Aerospace Solutions at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "As prime contractor and systems integrator of the US101 platform, we can show, for example, the placement of electronic and defensive aide equipment specific to each mission, as well as cabin suites for VIP transport."

Ramsey said Lockheed Martin's first priority for the aircraft would be the configuration for Marine One, the presidential helicopter fleet. The aircraft test bed arrived less than two weeks after Lockheed Martin delivered a detailed plan to the U.S. Navy demonstrating how Lockheed Martin would take the EH101 - a robust, off-the-shelf aircraft with an excellent safety record and proven maturity - and configure it for the presidential mission by 2007.

Lockheed Martin and a joint venture company consisting of AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter are collaborating to manufacture the US101 in the United States. Lockheed Martin, as prime contractor and systems integrator, will have overall responsibility for the program and delivery of the US101 helicopter to the customer.

Julia Cotton, 607-751-2598, e-mail: julia.cotton@lmco.com