The National Law Journal July 2, 2001
ROCKET SCIENCE
MICHAEL RAVNITZKYBoyd Bushman, an engineer and inventor at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., the nation's largest aerospace company, has sued his employer, claiming that the company, directed by the government, suppressed an invention that he believes has implications as a portable and inexpensive way of generating energy. Lockheed has had the suit removed to federal court. The complaint asserts that the value of Mr. Bushman's 20% revenue profit share has been substantially reduced by the failure to promote the concept. The patent at issue, U.S. Patent No. 5,384,802, describes a way of turning a jet engine into a powerful laser weapon. According to military technology expert John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org, the U.S. Air Force recently studied the utility of lightweight laser-weapon-equipped aircraft. Lockheed declined to comment. Mr. Bushman's attorney is B. Buzz Deitchman of Dallas' Law Office of B. Buzz Deitchman. Counsel for Lockheed is Herbert J. Hammond of Dallas' Thompson & Knight. A spokeswoman for the aeronautics company said that the engineer's claim is groundless. Bushman v. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., No. 4:01cv498 (N.D. Texas June 15, 2001).
Copyright 2001 The New York Law Publishing Company
