Implementation of proven, world-class lean enterprise systems and practices throughout Lockheed Martin will lead to excellence at a lower cost to customers, company president and CEO Micky Blackwell said at the show yesterday.

"We are declaring war on waste," said Blackwell, noting that the company's plans to design and produce revolutionary products are to be backed by a revolution in the way they are made.

In presenting an overview of Lockheed Martin's diverse aerospace activities, Blackwell issued an open offer to the industries of Europe to work in partnership to develop a successor to the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter transport and KC-135 Stratotanker refueler.

"We applaud the steps the European aerospace and defense industry has already taken to privatize and rationalize. We know from experience that it can be a difficult process. But it is a necessary process and we encourage the European industry to keep going so that it can get stronger."

This offer to Europe could develop into another of Lockheed Martin's partnerships around the world-125 at last count-although it clearly presents a threat to the Airbus FLA which Europe continues to pursue. Among international programs already under way are the South Korean KTX-2 advanced jet trainer, the Mitsubishi F-2 fighter in Japan, and the Alenia C-27J turboprop twin tactical transport.

In addition, Blackwell's company is looking at advanced space ventures, particularly the X-33/VentureStar demonstrator of a reusable launch vehicle that may revolutionize the world in the same way as the computer and motor car. The prototype is on schedule to fly next year.

"What a way to finish out the century," said Blackwell, "going from the Wright Flyer of 1903 to the X-33 of 1999."

In the drive for economy, Lockheed Martin is adopting an overall approach to aircraft manufacture that maximizes efficiency by keeping parts moving throughout the factory-nothing is produced before it is needed. Throughput time for the F-16 Fighting Falcon's tail assembly has been cut by 50% and associated inventory by 75%. An extreme case concerns small extrusions for the C-130J Hercules, these no longer taking 65 days to produce, but a staggering 158 seconds.

"We are making a major investment in enterprise resource planning to provide common business systems across our sector," observed Blackwell. "This will make it easier for people to work with each other in a virtual manner. They will get their word done faster, better and cheaper. The 21st Century is starting early at Lockheed Martin."

By Paul Jackson