Lockheed Martin Streamlines Space Unit To Cut Costs, Bolster Growth (From Forbes)

Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems Company is the leading private-sector repository of space science and technology in the world.  That has positioned it nicely in the military and civil segments of the space business, but if it is going to grow then it needs to claim a bigger share of the commercial satellite market.  In pursuit of that goal, and to secure its business with government customers, SSC has been transforming its culture over the last several years.  Lockheed space EVP Rick Ambrose has pushed forward with a top-to-bottom technology refresh of the company’s signature A2100 satellite bus while consolidating operating sites, investing in cutting-edge production technology like additive manufacturing, eliminating redundant procedures and introducing more commonality across diverse spacecraft.  The streamlining has already saved $2.8 billion, with more savings to come.  Ambrose says his goal is to make satellites for all customers more producible, more innovative, and more responsive to emerging threats — a goal that will be facilitated by the recent decision to wrap Lockheed’s work on the ground segments supporting satellite constellations into the space unit.  I have written a commentary for Forbes here.