NEW ORLEANS, LA, 01-MAY-06 -- As part of the continuing growth of the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NCAM www.ncamlp.org/) at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, two new industry participants have joined with NASA, the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development, the University of New Orleans and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) in an industry partnership agreement to help develop large-scale advanced manufacturing technologies.

The first addition, Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc. of Rockford, Ill. (www.ingersoll.com/), is a world leader in machine tools -- building advanced fiber placement machines and high-speed machining systems. NCAM currently has two state-of-the-art Ingersoll fiber placement machines (FPM) and is using them to develop innovative fiber-placed aerospace structures.

The first is a 16 X 40 ft. “advanced” FPM intended for larger complex structures. The second is an 8 X 20 ft. “next generation” FPM designed for more complex, smaller structures, previously not fiber-placeable. These machines have been used successfully to fabricate articles with contours and features, using materials not previously possible.

Ingersoll will promote advancements of fiber placement technology by using its expertise with that of its new partners in NCAM. This role is a valuable addition to NCAM.

The second major industry addition is Hexcel of Stanford, Conn. (www.hexcel.com/), a world leader in advanced composite material systems. Hexcel’s broad range of composite-related products covers the gamut for composite-part fabricators and exposes the company to virtually all composite customers and programs. Hexcel’s understanding of the market is unparalleled.

With this background, Hexcel can address and help resolve the composite industry’s needs through the use of NCAM facilities and its new partners. Hexcel’s drive to develop and bring to market new advanced products that can help other manufacturers resolve design and properties’ issues makes the company a valuable NCAM asset.

By combining the machine design/application expertise of Ingersoll; the materials expertise of Hexcel; and the structures design, analysis and process expertise of Lockheed Martin (www.lockheedmartin.com/michoud), NCAM becomes greater than the sum of its parts – a strong fit for the future.

To see NCAM photos, go to www.lockheedmartin.com/michoudgallery

The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NCAM) is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that was formed via a Memorandum of Understanding between NASA, the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the University of New Orleans. NCAM resulted from an initiative by Lockheed Martin Space Systems – Michoud Operations to provide the capability to design, fabricate and assemble metallic and composite large-scale, high-performance structures such as lightweight composite tanks for space launch vehicles, lightweight components for advanced aircraft and complex curvature friction stir welded structures.

Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc., headquartered in Rockford, Ill., is a manufacturer of advanced manufacturing equipment for the composites and metal cutting industries. Ingersoll provides its customers with complete manufacturing solutions from initial design through machine startup and implementation into production.

Hexcel of Stanford, Conn. is the world’s leading advanced structural materials company. Hexcel today is a global enterprise with over $1 billion in annual sales.