Lockheed Martin, a global security company with 30 years of experience in developing strategic ground, airborne and space ISR systems, has signed a new agreement with an Italian-based Finmeccanica and L-3 Communication Systems-West to pursue international airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance business.

L-3 Communication Systems-West specializes in systems for high-performance intelligence collection, imagery processing and satellite communications. Finmeccanica is a manufacturer in the high technology sector focusing heavily on three strategic pillars which includes; helicopters, defense and security electronics and aeronautics.

"Our customers' future requirements demand innovative solutions that support their missions with the technologies of tomorrow," Jim Quinn, vice president at Lockheed Martin's (News - Alert) ISGS-Defense said.

"This agreement allows us to leverage our combined strengths to offer customers world-class intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions," Quinn added.

As per the terms of this agreement, the companies will jointly pursue technical and strategic airborne ISR opportunities including territorial situational awareness and control in support of Homeland Defense and Homeland Security operations; planning and mission rehearsal capabilities to optimize the employment of C4ISR assets in support of military and civil operations; and integrated logistics support capabilities for the C4ISR systems lifecycle.

The companies have jointly decided to offer customers the most technically advanced C4ISR capabilities.

"Drawing upon our C4ISR, ground systems and information interoperability expertise, we will leverage the resources, talent, and ideas from our companies to produce innovative solutions for global and national security challenges," Paolo Solferino, vice president of Finmeccanica's Elsag Datamat (News - Alert) Defense, Space and Environment Division said.

"Joining forces with Lockheed Martin will allow us to deliver the best value to customers around the globe," Al Modrovsky, vice president of strategic initiatives with L-3 Communication Systems-West said.\

"Our companies provide customers with decades of proven performance in the delivery of leading-edge C4ISR solutions," Modrovsky added.