ORLANDO, FL, July 13th, 1998 -- The 10,000th production version of the Hellfire II antitank missile rolled off the assembly line at Lockheed Martins' Pike County, Alabama missile facility June 24, four years after the first production Hellfire II made its debut.

The missile is a product of the Hellfire Systems Limited Liability Company (HSLLC), a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Lockheed Martin's Pike County Operations was named one of America's top ten plants last year by Industry Week magazine, and recently was named a Cogswell Award winner by the Department of Defense for excellence in plant security.

An upgraded version of the Hellfire missile, Hellfire II is a principal armament for Apache attack helicopters serving U.S. Army and allied forces; and for the U.S. Marine Corps Super Cobra. The U.S. Navy has deployed Hellfire II on SH-60 and HH-60 helicopters, and ground launched applications have been successfully tested for the international market. Hellfire II is designed to counter ground and naval threats well into the 21st century.

Current orders for Hellfire II missiles total 16,355 of which 8,879 have been delivered to U.S. and international customers. Production of Hellfire II for current orders will continue until mid 1999 and follow on orders are anticipated to continue production beyond 2000.

Boeing North American, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company. Boeing North American, Inc. participates in the following market segments: space systems; power and propulsion; satellites; missile defense systems; aircraft and aerostructures; aircraft modification; guidance and navigation; command, control and communications; ship systems; tactical missiles; and radar and electro-optical sensors. The subsidiary has its headquarters in Seal Beach, California.

Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com