MANASSAS, VA, February 4th, 2002 -- Francis M. DeBritz, president of Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) - Undersea Systems, has received the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) Special Recognition Award for 2001. The association cited DeBritz's career accomplishments, including his service as the director of system engineering and chief engineer in creating the AN/SQQ-89, an integrated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite. AN/SQQ-89 systems are currently installed on every Navy cruiser and destroyer in the fleet. In honoring DeBritz, the SNA said that the creation of this combat system will be remembered as one of the key events in naval history. The SNA said that the AN/SQQ-89 demonstrated U.S. dominance in ASW, which contributed to the end of the Cold War.

"Frank DeBritz was selected for this prestigious award for his sustained contributions to the U.S. Navy and our country," said retired Vice Adm. Lee F. Gunn, president of the SNA. "His vision and engineering expertise have contributed enormously to making the Navy's surface ships the finest the world has ever known."

DeBritz has served Lockheed Martin in a wide range of programs and functional areas over 35 years. As the president of NE&SS - Undersea Systems, he oversees a wide range of programs, products and activities, including submarine combat and electronic warfare systems and antisubmarine warfare, minehunting, and undersea sensing and surveillance technologies. DeBritz is also responsible for the business unit's nuclear, biological and chemical detection and warning systems and rail systems product lines.

"Frank DeBritz is an outstanding systems engineer and his contributions to undersea systems engineering have been vital to both our nation and our Navy," said Joe Antinucci, president of Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems. "Frank is clearly deserving of the respect which he commands. He is indeed a national asset, and I applaud the SNA for honoring him this way," continued Antinucci.

The award was presented to DeBritz at the association's 14th National Symposium Awards luncheon on January 16 in Arlington, Va..

Widely recognized as a pioneer in the application of sonar systems technology to modern large-scale digital computer network systems, DeBritz also recently received the 2001 Marine Technology Society Award for Ocean Science and Engineering for his career work in the sonar systems technology field.

The SNA is a professional organization that promotes greater communication among those in the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in Naval surface warfare.

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. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems products and services.