ESD Special Seminar

Creating and Maintaining a Winning Environment

By Tom Burbage, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

About the Lecture:

On October 26, 2001, the largest single government contract in history was awarded to a Lockheed-Martin led international team to design, build, and deploy the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). This team will grow to be very complex enterprise that must harvest the best from the partner companies, the supply chain, industry, government laboratories, and academia.

Tom Burbage (LM Aero Executive Vice President and General Manager for JSF) and Brigadier General Hudson (JSF Program Office Manager) are the joint Contractor/Government leaders of this awesome responsibility. They will address MIT students and faculty on "Creating and Maintaining a Winning Environment" and the mutual JSF-MIT interests and activities required to support this global enterprise.

About the Speaker:

Tom Burbage was named Executive Vice President and General Manager, Joint Strike Fighter in November 2000. Prior to this assignment he had served in a series of senior management assignments including Vice President and General Manager, F-22 Program, President Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Company in Marietta, Georgia, and most recently, as Executive Vice President, Customer Requirements for the new Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

Mr. Burbage joined Lockheed Martin in 1980 in the business development branch and later became manager of business development for U.S. government programs at the Lockheed California Company operations in Burbank, California. In December 1987, he was appointed vice president for Washington operations and coordinated the company's relationships with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Congress, as well as the embassies of foreign governments. He moved to Marietta, Ga., in 1990 as vice president for Business Development and Product Support at Aeronautical Systems. He was named vice president and AFX program manager in 1992 and vice president and general manager for Navy Programs in 1994.

1987, he was appointed vice president for Washington operations and coordinated the company's relationships with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Congress, as well as the embassies of foreign governments. He moved to Marietta, Ga., in 1990 as vice president for Business Development and Product Support at Aeronautical Systems. He was named vice president and AFX program manager in 1992 and vice president and general manager for Navy Programs in 1994.

From 1969 to 1980, Mr. Burbage served on active duty in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. After completing the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1975, he accumulated more than 3,000 hours in 38 different types of military aircraft. On Oct. 31, 1994, he retired from the Navy Reserves as a captain.

Mr. Burbage was born on Sept. 9, 1947, in San Diego, California. In 1969, he received a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He also has master's degrees in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida and business administration from UCLA.

Burbage and his wife Ellen reside in Fort Worth, Texas and have three daughters.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company:

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is known for building the finest military aircraft in the world. This recognition was earned through relentless research and development of high-performance aircraft and by continuously seeking innovative and low-cost design and manufacturing strategies.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's products play an important role in the defense of the United States and many other countries, and they help ensure peace and stability around the world. Its long list of dependable and highly regarded aircraft includes the proven and affordable fighter, the F-16; the versatile airlifter, the C-130J; the first operational stealth fighter, the F-117; and the next-generation fighter, the F-22. The company has recently been awarded the contract to build the multiservice, multimission Joint Strike Fighter of the future.

With systems like its Virtual Product Development (VPD) network, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company uses the latest in engineering technology. Its factories feature some of the most advanced production technologies in the world, such as laser ultrasonic inspection and laser direct manufacturing. Leading-edge management concepts are employed throughout its operations worldwide. Highly specialized personnel and facilities are key to the company's unrivaled success in the aeronautics industry. Its workforce of more than 20,000 has preeminent expertise in advanced aircraft design and production, modification and support, stealth technology, and systems integration.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company plant locations include Marietta, Georgia; Palmdale, California; Pinellas Park, Florida; Meridian, Mississippi; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Fort Worth, Texas, their headquarters. They also have offices in various countries throughout the world.