HONORS FOR LOCKHEED EXECUTIVE HANCOCK TAKES TOP PRIZE.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - Dain M. Hancock, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's aeronautics business area, has received the Reed Aeronautics Award for 2003 from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Named for Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, an early aeronautical engineer, designer and founding member of the organization that became the AIAA, the award is the institute's highest honor for achievements in the field of aeronautical science and engineering.

Hancock accepted the award on July 15 at the International Air and Space Symposium and Convention - ``The Next 100 Years'' - sponsored by the AIAA and the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences. The award honors him for ``contributions to military aircraft science, program management and multinational cooperation in defense technology.''

In announcing the honor, the AIAA noted that ``his leadership has been key to the creation and fielding of the next generation of advanced military aircraft, including the F/A-22, F-35 and advanced F-16 versions.''

``Dain's leadership and management expertise have enabled Lockheed Martin to develop the next generation of combat aircraft. These systems will define U.S. military aviation and will ensure allied air dominance for decades to come,'' said Vance D. Coffman, Lockheed Martin's chairman and chief executive officer.

Hancock is president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. and is the senior executive responsible for all Lockheed Martin military aircraft business activities. He began his aerospace career in 1966 at the former General Dynamics Fort Worth Division. He held various engineering and program management positions and eventually served as vice president of program development and as vice president of F-16 programs. He was named president of Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems in 1995 and appointed to his current position upon the creation of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in 2000. Hancock holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.