CEO: Despite COVID-19, Lockheed Martin still hiring

Lockheed Martin chief executive Marillyn Hewson said today her company is committed to continuing to hire workers despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"In addition to continuing to support our key government customers, we recognize that providing jobs during this period of economic downturn is also critically important," Hewson said in a statement. "We are committed to continue hiring during this crisis and have added close to 1,000 new employees over the past two weeks in addition to advertising for 5,000 open positions."

The company is also "extending awards of up to $500 to our employees who are regularly required to work at, or travel to, a designated Lockheed Martin facility or customer site during this crisis," she added.

Lockheed is further "increasing our previous commitment of $53 million in accelerated payments by another $53 million, totaling more than $106 million for this purpose," according to Hewson. The company has also committed to donating $2 million in urgently needed personal protective equipment items for first responders, and has begun limited production of medical face shields.

"We are also providing engineering support for select initiatives to accelerate production of PPE equipment," she said.