The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Honeywell International and Alliant Techsystems

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Jan 16, 2012, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD), Honeywell International Inc. Co. (NYSE: HON) and Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK).

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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Lockheed Leads GPS Satellite Deal

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) has received a $238 million contract from the U.S Air Force for the production of the third and fourth satellites for Global Positioning System ("GPS III"), the next-generation GPS constellation. The Air Force plans to build up to 32 GPS III satellites.

Global Positioning System is the global standard system designed to provide accurate, reliable, continuous, free worldwide positioning, navigation and timing ("PNT") services.

Per the contract, the old GPS satellites will be replaced by two more satellites that have the capability to meet the current and future needs of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide. With the advanced anti-jamming power, GPS III satellites have the capability to improve the spacecraft's design life and add a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.

Moreover, the simultaneous installation of both these satellites will allow the Lockheed Martin-led team to maximize efficiencies in satellite manufacturing. The GPS III program is one its best moves and the first space vehicle is progressing on schedule.

Lockheed Martin is the GPS III prime contractor. The majority of the operational GPS constellation and the highly reliable GPS spacecraft are being built by the Lockheed Martin team. The team is successful in making the satellites exceed 140 cumulative operational years on-orbit with a reliability record of better than 99.9%.

The co-workers that manage and operate the GPS constellation are ITT Exelis, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD), Infinity Systems Engineering, Honeywell International Inc. Co. (NYSE: HON), Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK) and other subcontractors and Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

The company had received an initial contract to build the first two GPS III satellites in May 2008. With the current contract, the Lockheed Martin team has the responsibility to deliver four GPS III space vehicles. It has received the core structure for the first GPS III satellite and is proceeding with assimilating it with the space vehicle's flight propulsion subsystem. The integrated core propulsion module will be dispatched to Lockheed's GPS Processing Facility ("GPF") by summer 2012 and will then undergo final assembly, integration and test to meet its scheduled launch in 2014.

Lockheed Martin is a global security company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. It is the largest U.S. defense contractor with a platform-centric focus that guarantees a steady inflow of follow-on orders from a leveraged presence in the Army, Air Force, Navy and IT programs. Also, we expect its shareholder return to continue to be shored up by the company's focus on debt repayment, its ongoing share repurchase program and the incremental dividend.

However, we are concerned about the U.S. economic fundamentals that increase the risk for further cutbacks in defense budgets. The company presently retains a short-term Zacks #4 Rank (Sell). We have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.

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