Lockheed Martin Showcasing F-16 Fighting Falcon During 2019 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo

Reporters Invited to “Fly” F-16 Cockpit Demonstrator

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] will highlight production of the F-16 Fighting Falcon in the Palmetto State during the 2019 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo Oct. 29-30 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5000 Coliseum Drive, in North Charleston.

Reporters are invited to “fly” the F-16 cockpit demonstrator and experience firsthand how the jet’s advanced technologies and capabilities make the F-16 the world’s most successful, combat-proven 4^th generation fighter aircraft. Print and broadcast interviews and flights are available between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

In April 2019, Lockheed Martin completed work on the new F-16 production line in Greenville, which enables the company to meet international demand for new F-16s and positions the facility for future growth.

Lockheed Martin is currently on contract to produce F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, Slovakia, and Bulgaria – all of which will be built in Greenville, South Carolina. The company is also discussing F-16 production opportunities with numerous other international customers. The F-16 Block 70/72 is the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration.

Approximately 400 new jobs will be created to support F-16 production in Greenville, nearly doubling the facility’s current workforce of 500 highly-skilled and experienced employees.

To date, 4,618 F-16s have been procured by 30 customers around the world. There are approximately 3,000 operational F-16s in service today in 25 countries.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin continues to boost its presence in the Lowcountry. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is home to one of the first bases for the F-35 Lightning II and the F-35B Pilot Training Center.

At any given time, there are approximately 30 F-35Bs stationed in Beaufort with the majority belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps and the remainder to international partners, including the United Kingdom and Italy. Current plans call for a total of about 70 F-35s to be stationed in Beaufort in the future.

Lockheed Martin has approximately 200 employees supporting the F-35 at MCAS Beaufort.

WHAT:
F-16 cockpit demonstrator “flights”

Note: The demonstrator is visually and audibly interactive. Reporters will have close-up access to film or photograph “pilots” in the cockpit while “flying” a variety of mission scenarios.

           WHEN:           
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019
8 a.m. to noon

   WHERE:    
2019 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo
Charleston Area Convention Center
5000 Coliseum Drive
North Charleston, S.C. 29418

CONTACT:

To arrange an interview or flight, please contact Julie Hillrichs at 972-971-0117 orjhillrichs@vianovo.com by Monday, Oct. 28.

About Lockheed Martin:
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.