Breaking Ground with the CP-901

Optimum performance and a 45-year long service life

by Lowell B.

CP-901 computer development began in the fall of 1966. Ken Oehlers led the logic design team, John Bonnes did the arithmetic section, Ralph Mattie led the memory design group, George Kydd did the I/O unit design, Gene Geisz led the power supply design, Chuck Wenz led the mechanical design and I did the memory interface design, interfaced with the manufacturing department, then was the engineer responsible for the environmental qualification testing.

In September 1967, I was working checkout and test of the early CP-901 computers in Univac Plant 1, St. Paul, Minnesota. The Navy flew a P-3C into Wold Chamberlin Field. Jack Anderson, a field service engineer, and I got on board with the CP-901 S/N 1 computer then flew to the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) at Johnsville, Pennsylvania, for the first customer delivery. Jack and I installed the CP-901 into their computer center for P-3C ASW software development.

Twenty years later, I smiled while watching a P-3C in the Hunt for Red October movie. We'd flown in a sub-hunter plane. Forty-five years later, in 2012, a retired Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors program manager told me that there are still 40 CP-901s flying aboard Japanese P-3C aircraft. Very few design engineers can claim their design team product has had such a long service life. I also led the design team that developed the S-3B aircraft AN/AYK-10 computer Harpoon missile launch interface.

 I smiled while watching Hunt for Red October because we 'd flown in a sub-hunter plane. 

From the Classroom to CDM

Still proud to be here, some 32-plus years later

by Aleta C.

And so, here I am 32-plus years later. Yes, 32 years plus a few months ago, when schools were on spring break, teacher-subbing jobs were scarce (after eight years, I "retired" from teaching in 1979), I asked Manpower Temp Services for a temporary job. I got that job doing Word processing with Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation. I hired on in 1980 as section, then department secretary; then various jobs, programs, buildings and companies. I am now performing configuration/data management on TBMCS in Colorado Springs. I am proud to be our site’s first nationally certified CDM and proud to work with Lockheed Martin as I approach the sunset of my career. 

While I often still miss the smell of crayons this time of year, I can be heard telling folks that working with engineers is a lot like working with eight-year-olds. What a wild ride of a career path that I never would have thought I’d be doing! It has all been quite like my office, now cubicle – sometimes very big and spacious – enjoyable and organized - but more often than not, quite disorganized, full of many tasks and sometimes chaotic – but still HERE and still working! Full of ups and downs, excitement and exasperation, fun-filled and frustrating. One hundred years for Lockheed Martin and 32 years and counting for me!

An Immigrant’s Story

Working at Lockheed Martin means helping to protect our freedom

by Alfredo M.

I immigrated to California about 19 years ago. Like many other immigrants, unable to speak English, I had no choice but work on the fields to make a living. Working long hours, hoe in hand under the sun I refused to believe that there was no better future for me here. So with a still very limited English knowledge, I applied to California Polytechnic State University. My job was the only source of income for my wife and two children, so I had to continue working full time while attending college full-time simultaneously. After struggling for a few years, I graduated with a Master’s in computer science. Right before graduation, Lockheed Martin noticed my potential and offered me a position as a software engineer.\

I have been part of Lockheed Martin under IG&GS, Space Systems, and currently under Electronic Systems. While in IS&GS, I invented and developed a concept to simplify the highly complex configuration of missile tracking systems. Due to this invention, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) presented me with the “Hispanic in Technology Corporate Award” for 2010. Lockheed Martin has also recognized the work I have done over the years with numerous awards and recognitions. I no longer work on the fields. Now at Lockheed Martin, I utilize my creativity to build systems that help our men and women in uniform protect our freedom. At Lockheed Martin we often say, “We never forget who we are working for.” That is Lockheed Martin, and I’m very proud to be part of it.

I'm proud to be part of something much larger than myself!

We Never Forget!

An inspired moment made our mission crystal clear

by Steve T., Kelly H. and the CDBD Navy/Marine Corps Customer Focus Team

On an overcast October afternoon at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Lockheed Martin’s Navy and Marine Corps Customer Focus Team’s interactive forum was well underway. Our government-industry team just had broken for the traditional celebratory cake honoring of the United States Navy’s 236th birthday. With the Admirals, captains, and their Lockheed Martin partners enjoying a quick bite on the Officer’s Club patio, the weather cleared and the F-35B “Lightning II” took to the southern Maryland skies.

Together, we stood transfixed, unexpectedly watching the jet that just days before had achieved the first, historic successful STOVL landing onboard USS WASP (LHD-1). Like excited children, we looked on with awe as history flew above us and a  fifth generation “concept turned into reality” circled and hovered above our heads.

When our break came to an end, so did Mother Nature’s clear sky. As the F-35B flew back to the hangar and we walked inside with our Naval customers, the Lockheed Martin team couldn’t hide its pride, knowing we were a part of the company, the team, providing this pioneering aircraft to our country and our maritime customer.

Right place, right time or just a bit of magic to remind us once again that we “never forget who we’re working for,” who knows? All we can say, it truly was an inspired moment celebrating Lockheed Martin Innovation, our customer and why so many of us come to work each day.

Standing on the Cutting Edge of Health Care Delivery

Lockheed Martin continues to innovate

by Laurie M.

I am a registered nurse, and yes, I am a Lockheed Martin employee!

Lockheed Martin continues the innovative philosophy that was the creative force behind the establishment of our foundation company 100 years ago, the Glen L. Martin Company. Today, Lockheed Martin is on the cutting edge of health care delivery. That’s right – health care!

Twenty-seven Wellness Centers have been established on Lockheed Martin campuses across the United States to provide free urgent care services to employees. By offering convenient, confidential campus-based medical care, the employee and the company benefit – employees will be healthier and the company reduces health care costs.

It’s exciting to be part of a business in its infancy! In October 2010, I joined Lockheed Martin and began work in a construction zone – the Sunnyvale Wellness Center was in full renovation. Over the next three months walls were constructed, offices created, carpet laid and equipment ordered. A state-of-the-art clinic replaced the previous Medical Services. Two-and-a-half years later, we treat illnesses and injuries and offer the latest in preventive care to 6,000 Sunnyvale employees.

Want to lose weight? Schedule a resting metabolic rate test and a visit with our nutritionist. Interested in creating a healthy lifestyle? Attend one of our monthly health lectures.

Innovation created the Wellness Centers. Our values “Do What’s Right,” “Respect Others” and “Perform with Excellence” will ensure the longevity of campus-based urgent care, a healthy workforce and a profitable business.

Filling in the Gaps

Family history includes stories of the Glenn L. Martin Company

by Michael L.

I don’t have much of a story, but I believe my grandmother, Louise Lawson, and father, Ernest Lee Lawson, Jr., both worked at the Glenn L Martin Company facility in Baltimore, Maryland. I'm almost 100 percent certain about my grandmother’s work. It was during World War II. My father’s account is a bit sketchy though (after Korean War). Both are now deceased.

Pride in the Lockheed Martin Star

It represents the promise of a bright future

by Luke S.

My name is Luke and I have been with Lockheed Martin for a little over two years. I am currently an ELDP in the Grand Prairie, Texas, facility working for Missiles and Fire Control. My youth with the company makes my overall quantity of experiences limited versus others, but I think I have a valid perspective to share nonetheless.

My story is not comprised of a special project or experience with Lockheed Martin, but rather of the pride that I feel continuously to know that I work for this company. I spent my college years working hard, dreaming of the time when I could walk into buildings with the cobalt blue of the Lockheed Martin star staring me in the face and welcoming me to a brighter future. Within the confines of these walls, I don’t simply know that I can succeed in my career, but I know I can contribute to the greater good of the world.

I know there may be some out there who would scoff at this enthusiasm and dismiss it with the diagnosis of youth. To the naysayers, I will admit that Lockheed Martin is not a perfect company—but it is a company that constantly seeks to better itself, in much the way I do. I feel honored and privileged to work for this company every day, and I truly believe that this pride will not leave me—regardless of the hardships that may come my way during my career. Thank you Lockheed Martin!

I Wanted to Design the Next Fighter Jet

I kept my eye on the prize

by James H.

I have always loved airplanes. My father is a retired chief master sergeant who flew on C-141s. That was my first introduction to Lockheed. I grew up wanting to be a pilot of F-16s, but instead of going into the military, I went to college and majored in engineering because I wanted to help design the next fighter jet. When I graduated, I always had my eye on Lockheed Martin, and when an opportunity that fit my skills came up, I went for it. I've been here 10 years since.

Viking to Lightning II

Thanks for the memories!

by Mark S.

I received orders to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 50, VRC-50, in Cubi Point, Philippines as an aircrew loadmaster in the Lockheed US-3A. At the time, I didn't know that it was a Lockheed-built aircraft. I served from January 1990 to January 1993 as an aircrewman. I had the opportunity to log close to 150 carrier arrestment and catapult shots in the US-3A during that tour, mostly during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I've slept out under the stars next to those US-3As many times waiting to load up and head for a carrier in the Persian Gulf. During Desert Storm, I had the opportunity to trap aboard USS Midway CV-41, USS Ranger CV-61 and the USS Theodore Roosevelt CV-71, all in one day. Great times those were.

Fast forward 20 years later to January 25, 2010, my first day on the job at Lockheed Martin. I was escorted to the plant floor via the "tunnel." All those memories came back when I saw the picture of the S-3A on the wall. Here I am, at Lockheed Martin, a quality engineer on the leading edge of aviation technology with the F-35. Thank you Lockheed Martin, for the opportunity. Thank you Lockheed Martin, for the memories.

Copperhead’s “Venom” Was Deadly

I was awarded the Jefferson Cup in 1977 for work on its guidance electronics

by Francis C.

I arrived at Martin Marietta (Glen L. Martin Company) in 1955 at the Baltimore, Maryland, plant. I have had many rewarding design experiences. The following is the most memorable and challenging.

The customer was the Army in the early to mid-1970s. I derived the unique electronic packaging design solution that made it possible for a full complement of delicate, non-encapsulated guidance electronics to survive the mammoth force of 9,000 g's experienced during the cannon launch of the laser-guided Copperhead shaped charge warhead, anti-armor tank-killer projectile. The electronics drastically reduced the Copperhead production cost by $65,000,000 on the first production order. For this achievement, I was one of five Martin Marietta employees throughout the Corporation to be awarded the Jefferson Cup in Washington, D.C., in 1977.

Thunderbird Smoke Trails

We built tubes for the T-Smoke System

by James B.

My most memorable moment relating to Lockheed Martin’s Centennial was when the Air Force selected the F-16 as its aircraft of choice for the aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds. I was working in Department 0340 Tube Bending at the time, and the engineering team asked if we could build tubes for the system that creates the smoke trail that is displayed when the aircraft goes through its aerial maneuvers. This part was known as T-Smoke. It was very rewarding to know that every time the Thunderbirds fly and use the T-Smoke system, I had something to do with the tubes that were manufactured, making it possible for the white smoke trail to be visible.

Making a 360

My father’s first job and my last job were for the same company

by Stephen B.

In 1946, after my mother and father served in the Navy during World War II, my father went to work for the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore, Maryland. My parents lived on Dihedral Drive in Aero Acres, a community Mr. Martin built during the war for his employees. Many years later in 2004, when I went to work for Lockheed Martin in Hanover (not far from where they lived and where I was born), I always felt it was good karma that my father’s first job and my (hopefully) last job were for the same company. Although my father did not live to see me work for Lockheed Martin, every day I do my best to make him, the company, my customer and myself proud to be a Lockheed Martin employee. Thanks for that opportunity.

That's me on top of the car.

All about Heritage

It’s served me well in my life and career

by Lawrence D.

Heritage ... When I think about my Lockheed Martin heritage two thoughts come to mind. First, even though I never physically built a C-130 or C-5, my children and family associate me with building airplanes. Second, I'm very thankful I was a part of the Martin Marietta factory back in the 1980s when the back-shops, chem-mills and massive wiring shops were still in operation. That operations experience has served me well in other areas of my career. 

Aging Gracefully at 100 Years

Our true strength lies within people under the name Lockheed Martin

by Bruce E.

In March of 2011, I published a book "I Want My Country Back." Its message was influenced by trusted relationships at Lockheed Martin (27 years with RCA, GE, Martin Marietta and Lockheed Martin). I’ve learned through mentors from “the Greatest Generation” how to turn challenge into opportunity and leverage the wealth.

Our heritage affords us vast bounty tangibly noticed throughout the world. More importantly, we witness the intangible wealth generated from our service – honor and empathy for humankind.

Reflecting on my tenure with Lockheed Martin, I see who we are through the character and content of colleagues and customers. We cultivate and impart talent fostering our communities, country and world at large.

Knowing where we’ve come from, valuing our growth and envisioning our future gives us the keys to unlock the next century. The consciousness of Glenn L. Martin and Allan and Malcolm Loughead portrayed casting their ideas into the world in 1912 is manifest in today’s Lockheed Martin and continues to catalyze who we’ll be tomorrow.

It’s extraordinary that we can celebrate 100 years of prosperity, aging so gracefully. Such marvel originates from understanding an entity isn’t merely an organization; but an organism comprised of people who steward and foster its growth. Yes, we lead by providing technological advancement and service to the world, but our true strength lies within people who share a higher vision under the name Lockheed Martin.

Here’s to the next 100 years; may we keep on pioneering the way by serving to better the world we’ve been gifted!

What’s the Scoop?

The world's largest flying boats are still mighty warriors

by Michael W.

While visiting a supplier in Vancouver, British Columbia, I found out that I was a few miles from Sproat Lake. Anchored on this lake are two Martin Mars flying boats. These aircraft were built in the 1940s at the Middle River, Maryland, aircraft factory.

These have been converted to water bombers and are used to fight forest fires. After a brief tour of the base, I stayed to witness the water drop test that they do to maintain the aircraft to be ready to fight forest fires.

The huge aircraft taxied across the lake and took flight in minutes. The pilot then descended and skimmed across the lake at about 180 miles per hour. Two six-inch tubes extending from the bottom of the fuselage collected over 7,000 gallons of water in 25 seconds, stored in the internal tanks. The aircraft then disappeared into the sky. After about three minutes, it reappeared and flew over the dock that we were standing on. As though we were the intended target, it flew over us at an altitude of about 500 feet when it released the 7,000 gallons of water for a “test drop.” The crew had obviously done this before for onlookers, as the water missed us by about 200 feet and plummeted back into the lake. Even though the aircraft are now 66 years old, the “Hawaii” and “Philippine” Mars are still being used today and are ready to fight forest fires in a minute’s notice.