GAITHERSBURG, MD, 07/13/2000 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Security Service has once again presented Lockheed Martin Mission Systems with the highest honor it can bestow on a contractor, the James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award. Established in 1966, the Cogswell Award recognizes government contractors who demonstrate excellence in the protection and handling of classified or sensitive documents and information. Each year, fewer than one-half of one percent of the 11,600 eligible contractors receive the award. This year marks the third time since 1985 that Mission Systems' Gaithersburg facility has won the prestigious honor.

The Cogswell Award is a tremendous honor for Mission Systems, and one that represents our effort to maintain a common, consistent and auditable security program. Receiving this award reflects that our government customers have the utmost confidence in our security practices and policies, said Terry Drabant, president of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems.

Award nominees must pass several audits and evaluations by customers, local DoD officials, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. At every step of the way, the nominees are evaluated on criteria such as customer focus, security awareness, and strategic planning. In order to win, an organization must have a long-standing, continuous record of outstanding security practices based on standards set by the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).

Representatives of the Mission Systems security organization will accept the Cogswell Award at a July 17 ceremony in Arlington, Va.

A leader in mission critical systems integration and information operations, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems serves U.S. and international defense and civil government agencies. Mission Systems employs about 2,600 at major facilities in Gaithersburg, Md., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Santa Maria, Calif., and is a business unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.