Lockheed's new CEO surprises with US$4.4B old-space deal Julie Johnsson, Bloomberg News An attendee takes a photograph of a U.S. Marine Corps. F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp., performing maneuvers during the Singapore Airshow at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. , Bloomberg Lockheed Martin Corp.âs new chief executive officer has talked up his interest in artificial intelligence and advanced communications since taking the reins six months ago. But for his first major deal, Jim Taiclet chose a longtime supplier, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. Adding Aerojet should bolster Lockheedâs capabilities in missile-defense batteries, hypersonic vehicles and space, where the defense giant has a venture with Boeing Co. that competes with Elon Muskâs SpaceX. Joining with Lockheed will unlock greater potential for Aerojet as a seller of propulsion systems to other industry players, Taiclet told investors Monday.