Lockheed forms 2 project partnerships

If Bethesda's Lockheed Martin Corp. can use the skills of some other company, sometimes it just buys it. But there is still something to be said for forming partnerships with outsiders, as the giant aerospace company has done on two recent major projects.

The Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems division in Fort Worth, Texas, said this week that it will work with Tracor Flight Systems Inc. to develop pilotless versions of the F-16 fighter plane.

Tracor, based in Austin, Texas, is a leading producer of aerial targets -- drones the Air Force can use to practice blowing enemy planes out of the sky. Lockheed Martin builds the F-16 in Fort Worth.

Together, the companies will develop ways to convert the F-16 into an unmanned target and to create unmanned combat planes.

Lockheed Martin also said this week that a joint venture with Raytheon Co. and TRW will seek to become the coordinator for a national missile defense system.

The partnership, called the United Missile Defense Co., has submitted a proposal to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

Pub Date: 11/15/97