Schumer: Navy awards Lockheed Martin Owego a $13M contract extension

OWEGO — U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–NY) today announced the U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) in Owego a contract award totaling more than $13 million for helicopter avionics, or electronic systems used on aircraft.

The award extends a previously awarded contract for the upgrade of data and software systems of MH-60R helicopters, Schumer said in a news release.

This award will improve the ability of the helicopter to transmit data from its sensors, providing more information and a better understanding of the battle space to military commanders, according to the release. Lockheed Martin will handle the work at its Owego site and should complete it in June 2015.

The MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter is used today by the U.S. Navy as a primary platform for anti-submarine warfare in open ocean and littoral (closer to shore) zones, according to Schumer’s office. The Navy also uses the MH-60R for search and rescue, supply delivery, medical evacuation, and communications relay.

Lockheed Martin, a Bethesda, Md.–based defense and security company, employs about 126,000 people worldwide, including about 4,000 in Owego and about 1,900 in Salina.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com