PARIS, June 14 /PRNewswire/ --

PARIS AIR SHOW -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it has
delivered the final block of a new flight software architecture that will
provide highly reliable spacecraft command and control operations for the
Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite
constellation.

The SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning of missile
launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile
defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

Leveraging software and systems expertise from across the Corporation,
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. designed, developed and
validated an enhanced SBIRS flight software architecture that will enable
robust command and data handling, fault management and safe-hold capabilities
on the GEO satellite system.

The SBIRS GEO fault management system responds when an anomaly is
detected during on-orbit operations, putting the satellite into a safe state
while operators on the ground analyze the situation and take corrective
action.

The flight software architecture and implementation consists of two
blocks that have been delivered incrementally to support the pre-launch
integration and test schedule of the GEO satellite. The previous major
increment was delivered in December 2008 to support Baseline Integrated
Systems Test (BIST), which characterized the performance of the integrated
GEO-1 satellite and established a performance baseline prior to entering
thermal vacuum testing.

Delivery of the final flight software block will support thermal vacuum
testing to validate spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater
than those expected during on-orbit operations. The spacecraft is planned for
delivery to the Air Force in fiscal year 2010 in preparation for launch
aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.

"Working in partnership with our customer and leveraging key talent from
across Lockheed Martin, the team has delivered a flight software solution
that will ensure efficient and reliable GEO system operations," said Jeff
Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president and program manager. "With this
delivery, we are on track to proceed with thermal vacuum testing, a critical
step in preparing this vitally important spacecraft for flight."

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the
U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base,
Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS
prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as
the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

Lockheed Martin's SBIRS contract includes the two highly elliptical orbit
(HEO) payloads now on-orbit, two geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, as
well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The
team was recently awarded a 1.5-billion contract for the third HEO payload,
the third GEO-3 satellite and associated ground modifications. A contract to
include a fourth HEO payload and potential fourth GEO satellite is expected
to be awarded later this year.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security
company that employs about 146,000 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 2008 sales of US$42.7 billion.

NOTE TO EDITORS: for low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of SBIRS,
please visit our SBIRS web page at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/sbirs/

Media Contact: Steve Tatum, +1-408-742-7531; e-mail,
Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com