Lockheed Martin and Rowan University join hands in new technology partnership

Moorestown, NJ and Glassboro, NJ—Lockheed Martin and Rowan University are kicking off an innovative, strategic partnership to develop new technologies for a broad range of radar system applications in support of national defense. As threats to the United States become increasingly more complex, this next generation of radar technology is critical to protecting national assets and requires the dedication of an educated workforce.

Expanding partnership

Lockheed Martin and the University, which have collaborated on projects as part of the Rowan College of Engineering clinic program, are working together to expand their current partnership to conduct research and develop technology.
 
Research activities will be conducted at the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University in Mantua Township, N.J., about a mile from Rowan’s main campus in Glassboro. As research activities expand in scope, these activities will be accommodated at the planned second building at the Technology Park, which opened its first structure—the Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center—in 2008. The Innovation Center, at the juncture of Routes 55 and 322, is home to 16 sponsored College of Engineering research labs, among other offices.
 
In the future, Lockheed Martin personnel look forward to working with Rowan professors and students on:

• Radar component prototyping and analysis
• System performance test and evaluation
• Radar engineering curriculum and educational program development
• Supportability and sustainment innovation models  

“We are excited to prepare for this next step in our partnership with Rowan University to collaborate on the next generation of products and services for our customers,” said Carmen Valentino, vice president of Naval Radar and Future Systems at Lockheed Martin’s business in Moorestown. “Together we can create the innovative and affordable technologies for our customers, while developing the talented individuals who will work on them for many years to come.”

Important to region

“This partnership with Lockheed Martin is good for Rowan University and critically important to our region,” said Dr. Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “Our researchers—both students and faculty—are able to work with a leader in technology that has an international presence. That work not only furthers our students’ education, it also provides Lockheed Martin and other businesses with a talented workforce, with young professionals who enter their first jobs equipped with valuable experience. And by expanding its activity in South Jersey, Lockheed Martin also will further contribute to the economic development of our region.”

According to Dr. Shreekanth Mandayam, Rowan’s vice president for Research and executive director of the Technology Park, Rowan professors and students have the background that is critical to Lockheed Martin’s research. The almost 20-year-old Rowan College of Engineering has partnered on research with major corporations since its inception and offers degrees in chemical, civil, electrical and computer, and mechanical engineering, with a biomedical engineering program to start in fall 2014. Rowan Engineering also offers a master’s degree and soon will welcome its first Ph.D. students.

Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks said the partnership between Rowan and Lockheed Martin will be part of a “new innovation ecosystem that we are building in New Jersey.” She added, “As chair of the Governor’s Council on Innovation, and as the newest member of the Partnership for Action, I believe that the Rowan-Lockheed Martin initiative ensures our State and country will remain leaders in technology. It is my hope that this is just the first in a series of new relationships that will be formed as more companies recognize the value of our State’s research institutions and turn to them for their research and development and other needs.”

Winning combination

“The Christie Administration welcomes and encourages partnerships like today’s announced by Lockheed Martin and Rowan University. Aligning vital defense industry needs and investments with our research and higher education institutions is a winning combination for the Garden State, our economy and, quite possibly, our future security,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
 
Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors business unit located at Moorestown, N.J., has approximately 3,600 employees with a broad portfolio of radar products and services.  The central component of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Weapon System is the SPY-1 radar, the most widely fielded naval phased array radar in the world. Lockheed Martin recently completed the 400th SPY-1 antenna at its Moorestown facility with the Aegis Weapon System and SPY-1 radar deployed on more than 100 ships worldwide.  

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.
 
About Rowan University
Rowan University is a state-designated public research institution with campuses in Glassboro, Camden and Stratford, N.J., that offers bachelor’s through doctoral programs to 14,000 students. In the past two years, Rowan created a School of Biomedical Sciences; opened the Camden-based Cooper Medical School of Rowan University; and incorporated the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, making Rowan only the second university in the nation to grant both M.D. and D.O. medical degrees. Rowan also is slated to collaborate with Rutgers-Camden to create a new College of Health Sciences in Camden, with degree programs related to the growth of medical services needed in the future. Rowan focuses its research initiatives on efforts that address industry needs and bring products to market. To learn more about Research at Rowan, visit www.rowan.edu/research.

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