Lockheed Martin increases Mentor-Protégé Program

HUNTSVILLE – Lockheed Martin, through its Next Generation Interceptor program, is working with three small businesses to strengthen its defense industrial base.

This is part of the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program, which encourages prime contractors to serve as mentors in developing the technical and business capabilities of small businesses.

Through the program, the Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin three contracts that will run up to two years. The MDA is headquartered on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville office will work with Marotta Controls, Space Information Labs, and Valley Tech Systems to support the maturation of advanced engineering and technology capabilities, such as model-based engineering and the digital thread. Being a part of the program provides them with insights about how to grow their businesses.

“The Mentor-Protégé Program allows us to reduce barriers for small businesses; when small business wins, we all win,” said Sarah Reeves, vice president of NGI at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin believes in the strength of this program, so we are mentoring three different companies and supporting them throughout our NGI development.”

Marotta Controls is a family-owned small business specializing in sub-systems for the aerospace and defense sectors, based in Montville, N.J

Space Information Labs is a woman-owned small business that designs, manufactures, and environmentally qualifies Li-Ion Intelli-Pack Batteries, AFTU and Space Based Range flight units for multi aerospace platforms, based in Santa Maria, Calif.

Valley Tech Systems, powered by Voyager Space, is a small business specializing in aerospace propulsion, based in Folsom, Calif., and Reno, Nev.

Lockheed Martin is already working with these businesses as subcontractors in support of the NGI program from advanced technologies cultivated through the DOD’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs.

NGI will be part of the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense Weapon System, which protects the U.S. against intercontinental ballistic missile threats from rogue nations.