HOUSTON, May 16 (UPI) -- VMETRO announced it has been contracted by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) to support the U.S. Defense Department's next-generation strike fighter F-35 Lightning II program.

Texas-based VMETRO, a developer of ruggedized embedded computer technologies, says Lockheed Martin awarded a contract exceeding $660,000 for the delivery of the company's Vortex Data Recording systems. Company officials say Lockheed Martin will incorporate the data recording technology into the F-35 instrumentation and test plan.

"The systems Lockheed Martin is developing for the U.S. military and F-35 international partners benefit from optimizing commonality and reducing operations and support costs, which opens the door for innovative technologies from businesses like ours," Jim Gerberman, VMETRO president, said in a statement. "Lockheed Martin constantly seeks out business innovators with technologies that support its goal of achieving affordability in ongoing development efforts."

The F-35 Lightning II program is an initiative from the Defense Department to develop a next-generation strike fighter aircraft to address the evolving demands of the Navy, Air Force, Marines and U.S. allies.