Lockheed Martin Transnational Corporation is a leading global developer and manufacturer of military aviation and space technology, ballistic missiles, fire control systems, and cybersecurity elements. The company also provides a wide range of management, engineering, technical, scientific and logistic services.
Description
Lockheed Martin Corporation was formed on March 15, 1995 by the merger of two technological leaders in the aerospace industry of the United States of America - Martin Marietta (which specialized in the design of satellites and space rockets) and Lockheed Corporation (the main manufacturer of military aircraft in the United States). The small town of Bethesda in the suburbs of Washington was chosen as headquarters. CEO Marilyn Hewson and vice president Bruce Tanner play a key role in management.
The corporation is engaged in research, design, development, production, integration and support of technological systems, products and services. The company operates in four main areas: aeronautics; space; rocket technology and fire control systems (SLA); Electronics and information security.
Aeronautics
The American company is one of the leaders in aircraft manufacturing in the USA, especially in the defense segment. Its specialists are engaged in research, development, production, integration, maintenance and modernization of military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and equipment.
The main projects of Lockheed Martin in this sector:
- F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter - is an international multi-role multi-variant fighter of the fifth generation.
- C-130 Hercules - is a tactical military transport aircraft.
- F-16 Fighting Falcon - is a multi-role fighter.
- F-22 Raptor - is a fifth generation fighter designed to gain superiority in midair.
- C-5M Super Galaxy - is a heavy duty military transport aircraft.
In addition, Lockheed Martin is involved in the design and assembly of new-generation UAV prototypes, as well as network-centric systems that allow the integration of various types of military units (including geographically dispersed) under a single command.
Missiles and SLAs
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control (LM MFC), based in the suburbs of Dallas, is engaged in this area. LM MFC, with approximately 10,000 employees, is developing:
- air defense systems, missile defense systems;
- tactical air-to-ground missiles of the Hellfire and JASSM series;
- naval missiles;
- air-to-air missiles;
- lightweight MLRS HIMARS;
- ATGM Javelin;
- laser weapon;
- stels technology for the Navy and Air Force;
- launchers;
- manned and unmanned land vehicles;
- sensors and fire control systems;
- Apache, Sniper and LANTIRN navigation and sighting systems;
- fire-fighting equipment.
Priority projects
One of the most profitable is the TADS / PNVS program (target aiming system, night vision system) for the AH-64 Apache helicopter. The second generation of the M-TADS sighting system (also known as Arrowhead) has already been designed and delivered by the US Army. The company also became a major supplier of electro-optical systems for the F-35 Lightning II.
Also important for the LM MFC are the PAC-3 (manufacturing and modernization of Patriot missile defense systems) and THAAD projects. The latter is a more modern and powerful high-altitude anti-ballistic missile system capable of intercepting medium-range missiles, aircraft and satellites in near space.
The SOF CLSS program provides logistics services to special operations units in the United States Armed Forces. The clients of the LM MFC are military services, government agencies and commercial companies. In 2012, the division became a laureate of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.
Astronautics
The creation of aerospace technology is a corporate priority. The development of spacecraft and software is responsible for the LM Space division. It has headquarters in Denver (Colorado) and branches in Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz (both California), Huntsville (Alabama) and elsewhere in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Lockheed Missile Systems Division was established in Van Nuys, California, in late 1953 to consolidate work on the X-17 three-stage solid-fuel research missile. Currently, the unit employs about 16,000 people, and its most significant products are commercial and military satellites, space probes, missile defense systems, the Orion multi-purpose manned spacecraft and the Shuttle outer tank (hull).
This segment is engaged in research, development, design and production of satellites, strategic and defensive missile systems and space transport systems. The unit is involved in the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles of the Trident II D5 Fleet series, based on the atomic submarines of the US Navy.
Other Space Systems programs include:
- space infrared complex for early detection of missile launches (SBIRS);
- Extremely High Security Enhanced Military Satellite Communications System (AEHF);
- global positioning system (GPS III) and others.
LM Space also provides awareness of the command and special services about the situation in the near-Earth space, collects and integrates intelligence data on the ground and airspace into a single information network, analyzes the data and ensures their safe transmission to interested departments.
Electronic, Information and Global Systems
Rotary and Mission Systems (LM RMS) is a Lockheed Martin business segment headquartered in Washington, DC. The RMS segment provides design, production, service and support:
- a number of models of military and commercial helicopters;
- combat systems for the fleet, aviation, air defense;
- radar systems;
- littoral (coastal) warships of the LCS series;
- unmanned systems and technologies;
- training simulators.
In addition, RMS addresses the needs of government customers for cybersecurity.
Lockheed Martin is involved in the development of the CH-53K heavy helicopter for the United States Marine Corps, the VH-92A transporter, the integrated Aegis Combat System, the LCS ships for shallow water and the open ocean, the advanced Hawkeye radar system . Together with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the division produces Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters.
The ambitious project to create compact safe fusion reactors looks truly revolutionary. The company promises to present a finished commercial product in 7-10 years. If this happens (and many scientists doubt success), dependence on hydrocarbons and nuclear power plants will significantly decrease. To reduce harmful emissions, improve the environmental situation on the planet.