BALTIMORE, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan Ground Self Defense Force recently exercised an option on an existing contract with Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and its trading partner Itochu, of Tokyo, for the delivery of additional Enhanced Biological Aerosol Warning Systems (EBAWS).

Lockheed Martin's EBAWS will be used by the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Units of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces to provide early warning of a biological attack.

The EBAWS consists of an array of networked, remote sensors which provide an early warning of the possible presence of a hazardous biological aerosol cloud. The system delivers a high probability of threat detection, while minimizing false alarms, using a sophisticated detection algorithm. The network of sensors eliminates the possibility of a single sensor causing a system-wide alarm.

In addition to the biological aerosol detection capability, each remote sensor measures wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, location data and has the capability to collect an air sample for subsequent agent confirmation and identification. Designed for the tactical battlefield, EBAWS is simple to deploy, operate and maintain.

"Several nations currently have Lockheed Martin biological warning systems in place to help protect lives and to give battlefield commanders the information they need to make critical decisions regarding defensive actions," said Stephanie Hill, a vice president with Lockheed Martin's Integrated Defense Technologies business. "The Japan Ground Self Defense Forces continues to value the benefits of this early warning capability and we greatly appreciate their confidence in our latest EBAWS product."

Lockheed Martin develops innovative solutions in homeland Security areas of CBRN detection, critical infrastructure protection, port security, coastal and border surveillance and maritime domain awareness.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.