Lockheed Martin and Covenant Aviation Security Team Awarded TSA Airport Screening Agreements

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin and Covenant Aviation Security have each been awarded a Basic Ordering Agreement, and are now eligible to receive Task Orders as airports whose applications have been approved to participate in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Screening Partnership Program (SPP).

Under this program, airport operators may submit an application to have security screening carried out by a qualified private screening company. Contractor/airport/TSA partnerships will be relied upon to streamline operations and bring innovations in management and technology to screening operations.

TSA is currently using private screening companies at five airports -- San Francisco International; Kansas City International; Greater Rochester International; Jackson Hole Airport; and Tupelo Regional Airport.

Upon Safety Act approval designation, Lockheed Martin will pursue task orders. Covenant has already received SAFETY Act coverage. Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin and Covenant Aviation Security teamed to provide private security screening services at airports across the country.

Lockheed Martin has trained and deployed the federal passenger screeners for TSA on schedule and under budget, and continues to successfully train federal passenger and baggage screeners today. Both Lockheed Martin and Covenant Aviation Security bring a strong track record of reliable, innovative service to the industry.

Covenant Aviation Security (CAS) is responsible for passenger and baggage screener operations at two of the five current pilot program airports -- San Francisco International Airport and Tupelo Regional Airport. CAS is one of the largest aviation security companies in the United States, and currently provides passenger and baggage screening services as part of the TSA's Security Screening Program. CAS has proven its commitment by bringing best practices, existing technology and innovations from the private sector to the management of airport security. Covenant Aviation Security is headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

For more information: Lockheed Martin Corporation: Covenant Aviation Security: Jeanine Zeitvogel Janine Punt 856-810-5130 407-688-2273 Cell: 856-296-4087 Cell: 571-235-7972 Website: http://lockheed.covenantaviation.com/