According to a senior executive's statement on March 19, Lockheed Martin wants to partner with additional commercial space companies to maintain its leadership in intelligence, surveillance, communications, and small satellites.
Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, expressed the company's interest in seeking strategic partnerships with organizations that have expertise in space-related areas such as intelligence, surveillance, and communications.
Lightfoot spoke during the Satellite 2024 conference. SpaceNews Lightfoot was a speaker at the Satellite 2024 conference.
The aerospace and defense company, which is valued at $67 billion, is interested in collaborating with commercial partners specializing in intelligence, surveillance, and communications payloads for satellites to meet the increasing government demand for reliable space-based capabilities.
Lightfoot emphasized the partnerships Lockheed has already established through investments in companies like ABL Space, Xona Space Systems, and Terran Orbital.
Lockheed Martin made a proposal on March 1 to acquire Terran Orbital, but Lightfoot did not provide an update on the status of the deal. However, he highlighted Lockheed Martin’s significant efforts to expand its small and medium satellite business.
The company employs Terran Orbital’s satellite buses to construct small satellites for the U.S. Space Force as part of the Space Development Agency’s network of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Lockheed Martin’s internal R&D division is funding demonstrations of small satellite technology. The most recent demonstration, known as Pony Express 2, launched
two small satellites this month to evaluate mesh networking in orbit. According to Lightfoot, the U.S. government has expressed the need for faster data and increased resilience in space. Lightfoot explained that testing new technology through small satellite demonstrations allows Lockheed Martin to tackle potential issues and minimize technical risks before engaging in large-scale government contracts. An example of this is the Space Force’s current endeavor to develop a more compact and
cost-effective version of the Global Positioning System satellites
. Lightfoot mentioned that they are seeking collaboration with partners for this project.
Lockheed Martin's focus on partnerships is a departure from its traditional role as a primary contractor working mainly with commercial entities as subcontractors on its projects. Lightfoot stated that the company is open to collaborating with commercial firms in a supporting capacity as well. “We don’t always have to be the prime,” he said. President of Lockheed Martin Space Robert Lightfoot: ‘We’re looking for strategic partners’. “We’re looking to collaborate with partners on this project,” Lightfoot added.
A growing focus on partnerships represents a shift for Lockheed Martin, traditionally a prime contractor that mostly works with commercial entities acting as subcontractors on its projects. Lightfoot said the company is open to collaborating with commercial firms in a supporting role as well. “We don’t always have to be the prime,” he said.
