Mercury Computer Systems Signs Corporate Purchase Agreement With Lockheed Martin

 Fort Lauderdale 30 Sep 99 Mercury Computer Systems, a supplier of real-time digital signal and image processing systems, has entered into a preferred supplier corporate purchase agreement with Lockheed Martin Corporation. The agreement, which is effective through June 30, 2002, covers Mercury's entire line of RACE Series PCI and VME high-performance multicomputer systems.

Mercury's product lines were chosen based on their scalability and real-time processing capabilities. These systems are currently being used in the radar systems of surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, in sonar system upgrades for the U.S. Navy, and in a wide array of other defense platforms. In addition, these commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems are used in advanced medical diagnostic imaging platforms and in a variety of other high-performance applications.

"Mercury's differentiation has been our focus on providing our customers not only with cutting-edge technology but with comprehensive solutions tailored to their specific business and technology requirements," said Jay Bertelli, president and CEO, Mercury Computer Systems. "By reducing administrative burdens, this multi-year agreement with Lockheed Martin allows us to focus our resources on the development of affordable solutions that can be rapidly deployed and easily upgraded."

"Long-time partner Mercury Computer Systems was chosen based on a complete cost, technical, and managerial evaluation," said James Thomas, vice president of procurement for the Lockheed Martin Electronics Sector. "Our competitive analysis indicated that Mercury occupies a strong position for satisfying Lockheed Martin's embedded computing requirements."

In 1999 Mercury has been a substantial supplier to Lockheed Martin, fulfilling orders for several of its programs including Lockheed Martin's Airborne Laser (ABL), Advanced Rapid COTS Insertion (ARCI) sonar upgrade, and SQQ-89 sonar programs.

Recently, Mercury's RACE computers were selected to provide signal processing systems for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Concept Demonstration Phase for use in the development of the Integrated Core Processor (ICP), the central computer system for Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. JSF is a highly maneuverable, multi-role aircraft, optimized for the air-to-ground combat role, that will provide 24-hour, adverse weather, precision engagement capabilities for joint force commanders in the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and other allies.

In addition, its RACE systems are used for the Beam and Fire Control aspect of the Airborne Laser (ABL) system, which is designed to engage enemy missiles after they are launched, using a laser beam that fatally weakens their metal structures.

ARCI is a U.S. Navy program, which uses Mercury's RACE systems to upgrade sonar combat weapons systems on U.S. Navy submarines, extending the system's life and improving its performance. Furthermore, Lockheed uses Mercury's RACE systems in its SQQ-89 antisubmarine warfare system currently being installed to upgrade the combat sonar systems on U.S. Navy surface vessels providing protection against undersea threats by detecting, classifying and locating targets.

 

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