Orlando’s Lockheed Martin Leading The Way In Aerospace Technology
10 Tech Leaders: Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin is a leader in Missiles and Fire Control and RMS Training Logistics and Solutions.
Photos courtesy of Lockheed Martin
The first major tech operation to set up in Orlando was the Glenn L. Martin Co. in 1956. Of course, back then it was considered primarily a defense contractor, which it still is. But like many industries, defense companies rely heavily on high-tech components to create its products.
Lockheed Martin is the result of a merger in 1995 between the then second- and third-largest defense contractors in the world; Lockheed Corp. and Martin Marietta. At the time, the combination resulted in sales of more than $23 billion and 170,000 employees.
Roughly 10,000 of Lockheed Martin’s 17,000 Florida employees live and work in Metro Orlando, with major facilities located to the east, west and south of downtown Orlando. Other Florida sites include Lakeland, Ocala, the Space Coast, Ft. Walton Beach, Riviera Beach and Oldsmar.
The company, based in North Bethesda, Maryland, operates 73 total facilities in Florida, dealing with 1,062 suppliers in state, resulting in more than $6.7 billion in sales.
In Orlando, Lockheed Martin specializes in two different programs: Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) and RMS Training and Logistics Solutions (TLS).
MFC workers design, develop and manufacture precision engagement aerospace and defense systems for military purposes. Clients include the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and foreign allies. MFC is centered on technologies related to millimeter wave radar, image and signal processing, advanced materials, electronic packaging and systems integration.
Lockheed Martin is a leader in Missiles and Fire Control and RMS Training Logistics and Solutions.
TLS provides training and logistics products and services to the U.S. military and more than 65 international customers. TLS programs teach service men and women numerous skills, among them flying the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, navigating ships and driving armored vehicles.
Simulation, X reality, live-virtual-constructive capabilities, advanced training devices and full-service training programs also are major components of TLS.
With more than 65 years in Orlando, Lockheed Martin’s imprint in the community runs deep. The company helped create an initiative to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in K-12 classes in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. It also offers a paid-work program for UCF graduate and undergraduate students.
In 2018, Lockheed Martin employees logged more than 65,000 volunteer hours in the Central Florida community and contributed more than $1.5 million to local charities through employee giving and company campaigns.
Lockheed Martin is a leader in Missiles and Fire Control and RMS Training Logistics and Solutions.
