Lockheed Martin

A big company makes planes.

They build things for space too. They make tools for the government. These tools help keep us safe.

Two companies joined to make this group. They became one in 1995. The company has its main office in Maryland. They make many kinds of machines. Some machines fly in the sky. Others go far out into space.

It is a very big job.

Lockheed Martin is a large American company. It makes machines for defense and space.

The company was formed in 1995. Two companies, Lockheed and Martin Marietta, joined together. Their main office is in North Bethesda, Maryland.

This company works with many parts of the government. It works with NASA to explore space. It also works with the Department of Defense. Much of its money comes from these groups.

One big project is the F-35 fighter jet. This plane is a very important part of their work.

Lockheed Martin builds many different things. They make the Orion command module for space travel.

They also make the C-130 Hercules plane. This plane has been made since the 1950s. They even make tools for video games. In the 1990s, they made parts for Sega arcade games. The company also looks at new ideas. They study things like clean energy and new ways to use power.

Lockheed Martin is a huge American company that makes machines for defense and space.

It is a very important business for the United States government. In fact, it has been the top government contractor since at least 2008. Most of the money the company makes comes from the federal government. About 73% of its revenue comes from these groups. A large part of that, 65%, comes from the Department of Defense.

They also work with NASA to help explore our solar system.

The company works through four main divisions to build its products. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the largest part, making up 39% of their 2024 revenue. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems is the next largest at 24%. The other two parts are Missiles and Fire Control and Lockheed Martin Space. Each part has a special job to do. They build things like the F-35 fighter jet. This one plane alone accounted for 26% of their revenue in 2024.

Lockheed Martin was formed through a big merger in the 1990s. This is when two separate companies join to become one. Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta began talking about joining in March 1994. They announced a $10 billion plan to merge on August 30, 1994. The two companies officially became one on March 15, 1995. They chose to put their main headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland. This is where the company is located today.

Over many years, the company has built many famous machines. Before the merger, Lockheed made the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird planes. Martin Marietta made the Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers for space. Today, they lead the team making the Orion command module for NASA. They also work on the USAF Space Fence technology. The company has even won the Collier Trophy six times. They won it in 2001 and again in 2018.

You might see Lockheed Martin products in many different places. Some of their work helps protect the environment and our energy. They invest in things like renewable energy and compact nuclear fusion. They even work on ways to make energy distribution smarter. In the 1990s, they even made parts for Sega arcade games. This shows how their technology can be used in many ways. From space travel to video games, their work touches many parts of life.

The Lockheed Martin Corporation is a major American aerospace and defense manufacturer.

Headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland, the company serves many government agencies. It is the top contractor for the United States federal government. It has held this position since at least 2008. Much of its business comes from the federal government. In 2024, 73% of its revenue was from federal sources. Within that, 65% came specifically from the Department of Defense.

To manage its vast operations, the company is organized into four distinct divisions. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the largest, providing 39% of 2024 revenues. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems follows, accounting for 24% of revenue. The remaining work is split between Missiles and Fire Control and Lockheed Martin Space. Each division handles specific types of technology. For example, the F-35 fighter jet is a major product. Sales of this single aircraft accounted for 26% of the company's 2024 revenue.

The company was created through a massive merger of two older firms. Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta began merger talks in March 1994. They announced a planned $10 billion merger on August 30, 1994. The merger was finalized on March 15, 1995, after shareholder approval. The combined company established its headquarters at the Martin Marietta site in Maryland. Some parts of the original companies were not included in the merger. These parts formed the basis for a new company called L-3 Communications. The company also later spun off Martin Marietta Materials.

Lockheed Martin has a long history of developing advanced technology. Before the merger, Lockheed produced the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Martin Marietta contributed products like the Titan rockets and Viking landers. Today, the company leads the international supply chain for the F-35. It is also the primary contractor for NASA's Orion command module. The company is currently developing technology for the USAF Space Fence. Their engineering excellence has earned them the Collier Trophy six times. Notable wins include 2001 for the X-35/F-35B LiftFan system and 2018 for the Auto-GCAS.

Despite its successes, the company has faced technical and legal challenges. In 1999, the Mars Climate Orbiter was lost due to a software error. Lockheed Martin provided data using US Customary units instead of metric units. This error cost $125 million, while development had cost $193 million. The company has also dealt with various legal settlements. In 2001, it paid $7.1 million to settle NASA investigation claims. In 2011, it paid $2 million regarding a contract with the Naval Oceanographic Office. In 2012, it settled allegations regarding overpriced tools used on government contracts.

The company also manages complex human and security issues. In 2003, a tragic shooting occurred at a plant in Mississippi. An assembly line worker killed six co-workers and wounded eight others. In 2004, new leadership faced a massive demographic shift. About 75% of the 130,000 employees were expected to retire within ten years. The company also deals with modern digital threats. In 2011, a cyberattack breached sensitive materials at the company. This event occurred around the time the U.S. military updated its strategy regarding cyber warfare.

Beyond defense, Lockheed Martin invests in several scientific fields. They fund research into renewable energy systems and intelligent energy distribution. They are also involved in compact nuclear fusion technology. In the 1990s, they even worked on consumer technology. They developed graphics systems and texture mapping chips for Sega arcade games. This shows how their engineering applies to many different sectors. They continue to expand through acquisitions, such as the 2007 purchase of 3Dsolve. These efforts allow them to work in both defense and non-defense markets.