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Lockheed Martin-Led Team Awarded $40 Million Contract for Component Advanced Development of the Navy's Next-Generation Communications System

SUNNYVALE, CA, September 23rd, 2002 -- The U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., today awarded a Lockheed Martin-led team one of two $40 million contracts to begin the Component Advanced Development phase of the next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, known as the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). Over the 14-month contract, the team, composed of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Missiles & Space Operations, Sunnyvale, Calif., and General Dynamics Decision Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), will conduct architecture and risk reduction activities.

"We are excited to have an opportunity to bring the next-generation of mobile satellite communications to the warfighter," said the Lockheed Martin MUOS Program Manager Paul Scearce. "MUOS will greatly expand the capacity for UHF communications and meet the need for 'comms on the move' as the military increasingly relies on light and mobile forces in theatre."

MUOS will be an element of the DoD's Advanced Narrowband Communications system and will replace the current Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system over the next two decades. The Navy's UFO system currently provides narrowband tactical satellite communications to Joint Forces and Coalition partners and was initially launched in 1993.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Steve Tatum (408) 742-7531
Pager: (888) 926-2912
stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com