The United States aeronautical company Lockheed Martin has been rightly engaged in research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services for the global defence market. SP’s Photo Journalist Abhishek Singh reports from the company’s manufacturing hubs in Atlanta and Dallas following an exclusive media tour from March 21 to March 27.

SP's Photo Journalist Abhishek Singh

Of the six C-130J Super Hercules Tactical Airlifter Aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force from the American aerospace specialist Lockheed Martin, the first will be delivered in December 2010. And the remaining five will reach India by 2012. This was declared by Lockheed Martin officials while briefing the Indian media during their visit to the company’s manufacturing units in the US from March 22 to March 27. But the company which is now engrossed in the manufacture of the C-130J aircraft for India, as a part of the $ 1 billion (Rs 4,497.46 crore) contract with IAF, is now also eyeing the Indian defence market to supply F-16IN Super Viper fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin is one among the six contenders in the MMRCA race for F-16IN Super Viper.

In the month of October, the US Air Force will provide training on C-130J to the Indian pilots. While the training will be provided at the Lockheed Martin base, the aircraft owned by the US Air Force will be used for the purpose. This was anounced by Jack Crisler, Director, International C-130J Programs

Business Development

Orville Prins, Vice President, Business Development – India, Lockheed Martin while updating the Indian media in Dallas, Texas further informed that the IAF is also looking at the feasibility of incorporating KC-130J Super Hercules Tactical Air Refueler Aircraft. “Further Indian Navy has also enquired about the F-35 aircraft manufactured by us,” added Prins.

In yet another press briefing, Thomas Wetherall, Deputy Vice President, Global Sustainment on C-130 Sustainment programme said, “Lockheed Martin seeks to be the preferred partner for delivering affordable aircraft readiness and ensuring mission effectiveness and capability throughout the product lifecycle of the C-130 aircraft platform. Our aim is to leverage the experience gained though the support of multiple C-130J customer fleets.” “We desire to build long term relationships with our customers,” he added.

World’s largest defence contractor

The United States aerospace, defence, security, and advanced technology company Lockheed Martin was formed by the merger of Lockheed with Martin Marietta in March 1995. Today, it is the world’s largest defence contractor with its headquarter at Fort Worth, Texas. The company is also based in Marietta, Georgia and Palmdale, California. Technology development, engineering, and innovation are instrumental to the corporation’s aerospcae and defence core markets, and along with it are emerging markets like cyber security, healthcare, energy and climate change. The company employs more than 70,000 engineers and scientists creating innovative solutions for global security challenges.