-- Satellites will be based on the modernized A2100 and will
serve the Middle East and
Europe
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia,
April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Arabsat and King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology (KACST) today announced contracts for Lockheed Martin
[NYSE: LMT] to manufacture two A2100 communications satellites. In
conjunction with the award, Lockheed Martin, KACST and TAQNIA Space
Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Technology Investment and
Development Company (TAQNIA), signed an agreement to explore future
design, manufacture, assembly and integration of satellites in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The two satellites ordered by Arabsat will strengthen the
Arabsat fleet to 10 in-orbit operational satellites. These new
satellites will ensure and guarantee Arabsat expansion through the
additional services that will provide advanced telecommunications
capabilities, including television, internet, telephone and secure
communications, to customers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The contracts were signed April 9, 2015. Construction of the satellites
will commence immediately and will be completed for launch in
2018.
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin and TAQNIA Space Company
will pursue the creation of a Joint Venture, anticipated to be
structured as a limited liability company, that would develop
talent and infrastructure that will support space capabilities and
services in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. KACST will serve as a technology partner, leading
research and development efforts that will support new innovations
for future Saudi Arabian space endeavors.
"Lockheed Martin's proven record of developing and delivering
state-of-the-art space communications capabilities will ensure the
Kingdom's critical telecommunications needs are met. KACST and
Arabsat collectively selected the best and latest technology for
their satellites and KACST will elevate local satellite
technologies competency through the Joint Venture with Lockheed
Martin and TAQNIA Space Company," said Prince Dr. Turki bin
Saud bin Mohammad Al Saud, President
of KACST.
"Arabsat 6A and Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 will join a fleet of
satellites that provides millions of people access to TV, radio and
broadband services for mobile and landline communications," said
Khalid Balkheyour, CEO of Arabsat. "We selected Lockheed Martin to
build these satellites due to the impressive technical capabilities
and proven track record of the A2100 satellite."
"We believe this partnership will serve as a platform for
commercialization of innovations in future satellite systems in the
Middle East and North Africa region," said Abdullah Alosaimi,
CEO of TAQNIA Space Company.
"This is a great step forward to support both Arabsat and the
Kingdom's long-term strategy to provide consumers and commercial
customers with robust communications resources," said Mike Hamel, vice president and general manager
of Commercial Space at Lockheed Martin. "The modernized A2100
satellite platform is ideally suited to their mission of connecting
people and societies through reliable telecommunications
services."
The Lockheed Martin A2100 fleet has accumulated more than 450
years of in-orbit operation. The modernized version builds on that
flight-proven design with advanced innovations including
propulsion, solar arrays and electronics. Every satellite is
tailored for the mission and customers it will serve through its
communications payload and traffic both to and from the
satellite.
Arabsat 6A will be located at 30.5 degrees East and
Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 will be located at 39 degrees East. Both
satellites will be designed for a 15-year service life, and will be
manufactured in Denver,
Colorado.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that
employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally
engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture,
integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems,
products and services. Internationally, Lockheed Martin has more
than 300 partnerships in 70 countries, with significant footprints
in the United Kingdom,
Canada and Australia. The Corporation's net sales for
2014 were $45.6 billion, including 20
percent from international sales.
Media Contact:
Jill Krugman, Lockheed Martin, +1
303-947-2930; jill.krugman@lmco.com
Matt Kramer, Lockheed Martin, +1
303-977-9083; matthew.s.kramer@lmco.com
For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/commercialspace