Lockheed Martin was born out of the merger in 1995 of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta Corporation, two of the world's leading technology firms. The group’s principal activities include the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, operation and support of advanced technology systems, products and services. Lockheed ranks as the number one US defence contractor, with almost 80% of its business being conducted with the US Department of Defence and the US federal government agencies.