United States Government Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Begin Production of Advanced...

United States Government Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Begin Production
of Advanced F-16 Aircraft for Morocco

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States government
awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) an Undefinitized Contract Authorization
(UCA) for the production of 24 Advanced F-16 Block 52 aircraft for Morocco,
making the Kingdom of Morocco the 25th nation to select the F-16.
Morocco will acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft
tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Royal Moroccan Air Force
(RMAF). The sale will include the aircraft, mission equipment and a support
package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international
contractors. The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF's existing fleet of
fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the
RMAF.
Lockheed Martin is being awarded a contract totaling $233.6 million to
begin production of 24 aircraft, along with associated support equipment,
alternate mission equipment and other support elements for Morocco. This
effort will support the Foreign Military Sales program for Morocco.
"We are pleased the Royal Moroccan Air Force selected the F-16 to
modernize its fighter force and look forward to working with them as the
newest member of the F-16 family," said John Larson, vice president of
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' F-16 program. "The F-16 provides the Kingdom of
Morocco with the world's most affordable and technologically advanced
multirole fighter available today, with the added benefit of interoperability
with the U.S. Air Force and many other air forces."
The F-16 provides advanced technology and capability across all missions,
and its operations and maintenance costs for the life of the aircraft are the
best value available today. Operating day and night in all environments and
weather, the F-16 remains the safest multirole fighter in U.S. Air Force
history. The F-16 will continue to be the backbone of the U.S. Air Force for
many years to come, assuring proven support and sustainment throughout the
life of Morocco's F-16 program.
The Moroccan announcement adds to the F-16's reputation as the world's
most sought-after multi-role fighter. More than 4,400 F-16 aircraft have been
delivered to date and production is expected to continue beyond 2012, with
major upgrades being incorporated for all F-16 versions.
More than 4,400 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines
in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented
international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace
industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep
the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.
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 2007 sales of $41.9
billion.
F-16 is a registered trademark of Lockheed Martin Corp.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Joe Stout, +1-817-763-4086, joe.w.stout@lmco.com, or Laurie Quincy,
+1-817-777-0647, laurie.a.quincy@lmco.com, both of Lockheed Martin