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ILS Ownership Changes; Frank McKenna Appointed President |
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MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 12, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] announced on Wednesday the completion of the sale of its interests in Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International, Inc. (LKEI) and ILS International Launch Services, Inc. (ILS) to Space Transport Inc.
The two companies had provided sales, marketing and mission management support for launches of both the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas and Khrunichev-built Proton and Angara rockets to commercial customers.
The sale was originally announced Sept. 7, 2006. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
With the transfer of Lockheed’s shares of ILS to Space Transport Inc., the ILS board of directors has appointed Frank McKenna, 53, as the company’s president. McKenna, who has more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry, served as ILS’ vice president and deputy for the last two years, responsible for overall strategy, partnership management and customer initiatives. McKenna was also elected to the ILS board.
“Going forward, our customers can expect our commitment to performance, as we continue to focus on meeting their launch requirements successfully and on schedule using the Proton launch system,” McKenna said.
Space Transport Inc. was formed specifically for this transaction by Mario Lemme, who has been a consultant to ILS since its inception and a Board member for more than three years.
“I am looking forward to continuing my long-term involvement with ILS,” said Lemme. “Our focus is on providing premier launch services with the ILS team and our joint venture partner, Khrunichev.”
International Launch Services is the U.S.-Russian joint venture between Space Transport Inc. and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center with RSC Energia. ILS has the exclusive rights for worldwide commercial sales and mission management of satellite launches on Russia’s premier vehicle, the Proton, and the future Angara vehicle. To date, there have been 43 commercial Proton launches. Currently, ILS has 11 firm missions in backlog scheduled to launch through 2008.
Despite the sale, Lockheed retains all rights related to marketing the commercial Atlas vehicle and is continuing to offer Atlas launch services to the worldwide commercial market through its subsidiary, Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc. (LMCLS). ILS, which no longer is affiliated with Lockheed Martin, will continue to market the Russian-built Proton and Angara launch vehicles to commercial clients.
Lockheed said David Markham will lead the LMCLS organization, which will be based in Denver, Colo. LMCLS will make the full strength of the Atlas organization and Lockheed Martin Corporation available to customers for their critical space launch missions. Markham has a 25-year career of leadership positions with Lockheed Martin. LMCLS will work closely with the Atlas program mission management and marketing functions.
ILS Proton Successfully Launches Eutelsat's Hot Bird 8 Broadcast Satellite ILS Proton to Launch Eutelsat’s Hot Bird 8 Satellite on August 5 in Baikonur ILS Sets Proton Breeze M Return to Flight in August with Eutelsat's Hot Bird 8 |
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