NEW ORLEANS, LA., 11/12/2007 -- The U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) recently awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] a $14-million contract to demonstrate integrated airframe technologies for its Future Responsive Access to Space Technologies (FAST) program.

Lockheed Martin will integrate composite structures, thermal protection systems and structural health monitoring systems technologies as part of a full-scale airframe demonstration program to reduce risk in the development of an Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) capability for the nation.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems – Michoud Operations will lead an industry team that includes Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, CO; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Ft. Worth, TX; and, Andrews Space, Inc. in Seattle, WA. The contract is one of three tasks in a series of ground experiment tests including key technologies for an ORS system that AFRL is researching over the next four years.

According to Bobby Biggs, Lockheed Martin FAST program manager, This activity is an essential effort to demonstrate low-mass composite structures technologies needed for future U.S. Air Force launch vehicles. Lockheed Martin composite cryogenic tank and structures technologies have been integrated to provide the Air Force a low-risk solution for future ORS capabilities.

According to Ed Pendleton, AFRL's FAST Airframe Experiment Program Manager, The FAST program is a set of ground experiments that will advance and transition a set of technologies and support the future acquisition of a variety of reusable high speed air and space vehicles. We chose Lockheed Martin because of its expertise in aerospace composites, thermal protection, structural health management, integration and propellant tanks.

The program represents critical enabling ground experiments for vehicle design, integration and operation technologies.

This is the perfect example of horizontal integration, bringing both Lockheed Martin's space and aeronautics technologies together to meet the Air Force need, stated Mike Gnau, Lockheed Martin Space Systems' deputy director of advanced programs. We look forward to assisting AFRL with ground experimentation and simulation to investigate the performance and operability of the FAST airframe as well as helping to design and test potential follow-on experiments.

About FAST and the Development and Ground Experiment Program

The FAST program is a technology initiative to integrate existing and ongoing work in structures, thermal protection systems, adaptive guidance & control, health management and other subsystems into a set of coordinated ground experiments. The goal of this effort is to mature technology enabling both high speed aircraft and aircraft-like space access for future Reusable Launch Vehicles. FAST is maturing the technologies that will be needed by a wide range of potential 21^st-century vehicle concepts.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation and designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.