ROSSLYN, Va., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) received a $147.5 million contract to provide the U.S. Coast Guard three HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft and five Mission System Pallets (MSPs). Once delivered, the new aircraft will bring the Coast Guard's fleet inventory to a total of 11 aircraft and eight MSPs in service.

"The addition of these aircraft and Mission System Pallets to the Coast Guard's fleet will provide significant capabilities for the Coast Guard when responding to critical missions," said Mike Fralen, Coast Guard Aviation lead for Lockheed Martin.

The roll-on, roll-off MSPs, built by Lockheed Martin, provide the HC-144A aircraft crew with extensive capabilities for interpreting and responding to real-time information from advanced onboard sensors and communications gear. The suite of electronic equipment enables the aircrew to share compiled data from the aircraft's multiple integrated sensors with surface assets, other aircraft, shore stations and land-based assets. The MSPs also allow for the transmission and receipt of classified and unclassified information to assure the necessary collaboration during challenging, all-weather and day-night missions.

The HC-144A's sophisticated integration of sensors, command and control systems and communications equipment draws on previous Lockheed Martin experience with similar systems fielded by the U.S. Navy. The surface-search radar provides superior visibility with 360-degree coverage for searching, observing and tracking. The forward-looking Electro-Optical/Infra-Red imaging system provides an eye-in-the-sky for locating boats, ships and people in the water. Classified SIPRNET connectivity and VHF/UHF radios permit real-time coordination for rapidly sharing critical information needed in demanding search and rescue, illegal migrant interdiction or counter-drug operations.

Last month, the U.S. Coast Guard accepted the sixth HC-144A aircraft. Previously delivered HC-144A aircraft have proven their capabilities in the field, leading a multi-agency rescue mission in the Gulf of Mexico, successful search and rescue operations and providing reconnaissance capabilities during the Midwestern floods in June 2008.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE  Lockheed Martin
    -0-                           12/17/2008
    /CONTACT:  Kimberly Martinez of Lockheed Martin, +1-973-294-8981,
kimberly.martinez@lmco.com/
    /Web Site:  http://www.lockheedmartin.com /
    (LMT)

CO:  Lockheed Martin
ST:  Virginia
IN:  ARO
SU:  CON

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