PARIS, FRANCE -- Lockheed Martin and EXPAL today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), intended to facilitate exclusive discussions for exploring the formation of a union temporal de empresa (UTE), or consortium, as the companies pursue the Spanish 8x8 VBR program.

This MOU expands upon the parties' current relationship, announced in May 2010, which defined EXPAL as having responsibility for the logistics and maintenance support of the AMV offering. Today’s signing demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to relationships with Spanish companies.

“We are excited about the strong team EXPAL and Lockheed Martin are building for this program,” said Scott Greene, vice president of Vehicle Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This agreement provides an opportunity to leverage the programme management and system integration skills of Lockheed Martin and the logistics capabilities of EXPAL to provide high levels of system readiness for Spanish forces.”

“This agreement provides the foundation for EXPAL to participate in the leadership of the AMV project for the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s future 8x8 program,” said Manuel Garcia Sanudo, general manager of EXPAL. “Assuring national industry involvement at the highest levels of the program, this offer is based on a strong industrial platform and technology transfer process and will provide the Spanish Ministry of Defense with the best solution to protect its troops.”

The VBR global team, and the advantages it brings Spain, extends beyond Lockheed Martin and EXPAL. The other key members of our team include Patria, the vehicle OEM, and innovative Spanish companies UROVESA, Gutmar, Oliva Torras, Tecnobit and FASUR. The Patria AMV provides the Spanish Ministry of Defense a combat proven, low-risk solution for its Soldiers.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., USA, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Lockheed Martin
18.06.2010