The Marine and Land Operations unit of Textron Systems has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin for the manufacture of three 50-foot Motor Lifeboats (MLB). In February, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by the Arab Republic of Egypt to develop a fully integrated maritime safety system for the Gulf of Suez (GOS).
Lockheed Martin, as the prime contractor, will deliver 13 specialized vessels to Egypt, including the three motor lifeboats built by Textron Systems. All of the vessels will carry electronic equipment, such as Automatic Identification System transponders, to provide data exchange and real-time ship-to-shore communication.
The total contract value for Textron Systems is approximately six million dollars and includes the three boats, associated training, logistics and initial spares. The 50-foot MLB will significantly enhance Egypt's ability to perform rescue operations in heavy weather conditions.
The MLB is a proven platform that has been in operation by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) since 1997 when Textron made the first production delivery. Since that time, the company has delivered approximately 100 of these boats to the USCG, with a total production scheduled for quantity 117.
Textron Systems will begin work immediately and delivery of all boats is expected to take place by the third quarter of 2004. The Marine and Land Operations unit, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, will perform all of the work at its manufacturing facility located there. The total Maritime Safety system, of which MLB is but one part, is scheduled for completion in 30 months and is financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
A designer, developer and integrator of radar systems, vessel traffic management, simulation and training systems and other electronic systems, Lockheed Martin NE&SS-Radar Systems serves defense and transportation department customers in countries on six continents.
NE&SS-Radar Systems employs approximately 2,300 people at its Syracuse, N.Y., headquarters and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.
Textron Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., provides technology solutions to meet the needs of the global aerospace and defense industries. The company supports military precision engagement and dominant maneuver with strike weapons, mobility and surveillance systems. The Textron name is well known in the areas of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles.
Textron Inc. is a $12 billion multi-industry company with more than 51,000 employees in 40 countries. The company provides customers with solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening systems, industrial products, industrial components and finance. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
