New Lockheed Martin military communications satellite launched

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Feb. 25, 2012. The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the U.S. Navy, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The MUOS constellation will replace the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system and provide assured communications, including simultaneous voice, video and data, for mobile warfighters.

The first MUOS satellite and associated ground system will provide initial on-orbit capability this year with the four-satellite global constellation achieving full operational capability in 2015.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.