MANASSAS, VA, 26-NOV-01 -- Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Undersea Systems is constructing a world-class systems integration laboratory in Manassas, VA. The 26,000 sq. ft. laboratory, expected to be completed early next year, will provide U.S. and allied navies with advanced capabilities to research, design, manufacture, test and support naval electronics and surveillance systems. Twenty-first century operations demand that allied forces be capable of training and fighting as a joint coalition force anytime and anywhere, comments Francis M. DeBritz, president of NE&SS-Undersea Systems. Our new laboratory positions Lockheed Martin as the leader in developing systems to meet this challenge.

The laboratory is designed to replicate an actual submarine command and control center and will house conference facilities and office space. The laboratory's key advantage is its technological backbone, which enables the replication of deployed systems in a setting where rapid configurations and improvements can be supported. In addition, the laboratory will support multiple configurations, eliminating the need to engage in costly replications of each system fielded. Further savings will be realized through direct real-time links to other Lockheed Martin sites, corporate partners, and U.S. government facilities.

The laboratory will also be used to develop and demonstrate the information infrastructures for programs such as the Navy's new aircraft carrier, CVN 77, and her Nimitz class sisters; and the DD-(X) family of surface combatants.

A prototype test-bed also will focus on the next generation of submarine command, control, communications, computers, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (C4ISRT) systems. The test-bed will be used to develop, integrate and test revolutionary new capabilities, including unmanned underwater vehicles; real-time sensor processing such as electro-optic streaming video, infrared sensors, electromagnetic intelligence systems, and chemical and biological sensors. It will also support various research projects focused on developing the Navy's generation-after-next submarines.

Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Undersea Systems is a leader in developing and integrating complex systems for domestic and international military, civil government and commercial customers. It is a unit of Lockheed Martin's Systems Integration business area. With headquarters in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin Corporation's (NYSE:LMT) other business areas include: Aeronautics, Space Systems and Technology Services.