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A new collaboration agreement between Dstl and Lockheed Martin ensures 'open and flexible' relationship in Strategic Systems.

Last month, Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill Managing Director and Vice President, Alan Lines, hosted Gary Aitkenhead, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Chief Executive at its Ampthill site. The event marked the official signing of the collaboration agreement between the two organisations, which will set the foundation of how they will work together, in partnership, to achieve strategic goals. This is an opportunity for Lockheed Martin and Dstl to work together in an innovative way to ensure joint investments are maximised.

The contractual work carried out under this agreement will be delivered through the Lockheed Martin Special Projects Team headed by Dave Sparrow, Director for Special Projects and Mission Support.

This long-term collaborative agreement is a pledge made between the two organisations which acknowledges the benefits of shared visions and commitments to deliver UK Sovereign capability development and joint research; maximising the benefits to the Strategic Systems domain for the UK. This is key for Lockheed Martin, it demonstrates that its expertise in this field is recognised by the UK Government and that Lockheed Martin is comfortable taking on a co-ordinating role that will leverage the broader supply chain and academia. This agreement stemmed from the Lockheed Martin Prosperity Agenda Framework which was signed by the [then in post] Secretary of State during Farnborough Airshow last year.

Managing Director of Lockheed Martin, Alan Lines, yesterday said:

I see this as an exciting opportunity to work differently with Government, managing an open and flexible relationship will maximise the development and relevance of UK capability. This is a credit to our expertise and skills here at Ampthill.

Gary Aitkenhead, Chief Executive at Dstl, yesterday said:

This is a great opportunity for Dstl. Working with Lockheed Martin will enable us to strengthen and grow the UK’s capability, skills and knowledge in this area. Partnership with industry is absolutely the way for Dstl and its customers to stay at the cutting-edge of innovation.

Lockheed Martin UK and Dstl teams with Alan Lines (front left) and Gary Aitkenhead (front right) As part of the visit, the group took the opportunity to tour Ampthill facilities so that Gary and his team could see first-hand what the Ampthill site has to offer.