Lockheed Martin’s two strategic moves - a spin-off or sale of its government IT and technical services businesses and the acquisition of Sikorsky - are expected to strengthen its competitive position. The takeover of Sikorsky opens key foreign markets for Lockheed, extending its core operations into the $30 billion annual military and commercial rotary wing segment. The company reported stellar third quarter results with better-than-expected earnings along with higher revenues, solid margins, and strong cash flows, buoyed by robust sales of its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The solid quarterly results have enabled it to lift its 2015 guidance for sales, operating profit, and EPS. However, the threat of sequestration still lurks over this defense major, thereby negatively impacting its backlog.