Lockheed gets Microsoft classified cloud to speed work with Pentagon

FILE PHOTO: Lockheed Martin's logo is seen during Japan Aerospace 2016 air show in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft will provide Lockheed Martin with its first classified cloud as part of a three-year deal, executives said on Wednesday, making it easier for the United States' largest weapons maker to share information with the Pentagon, its top customer.

The secure cloud partnership will permit Lockheed to avoid some of the repetitive security compliance processes for each new government project.