US defense giant Lockheed Martin reported Thursday a fourth quarter profit of 827 million dollars, matching the total from a year ago, amid higher sales of combat aircraft.

The maker of the F-16 warplane and C-130 transport carrier said the earnings amounted to 2.17 dollars per share, above the consensus forecast of 1.99 dollars per share.

The Bethesda, Maryland, firm said net sales for the fourth quarter were 12.5 billion dollars, a 13 percent from a year earlier.

For the full year 2009, the net profit was 3.0 billion dollars, down from 3.2 billion a year earlier, as 2009 revenues rose six percent to 45.2 billion.

"Our achievements in 2009 were numerous and significant while operating in a dynamic business environment," said Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive Bob Stevens.

"The corporation remains strong, healthy and well-positioned for future growth."

Net sales for the aeronautics unit increased by 13 percent for the quarter and six for the year amid higher deliveries of C-130 planes. For combat aircraft, an increase from the F-35 program and F-16 deliveries was partly offset by lower volume on F-22 and other combat aircraft programs.

Operating profit for the aeronautics unit increased by 15 percent for the quarter and 10 percent for the year.

The Electronic Systems unit, which includes missile programs, saw sales increase by 12 percent for the quarter and 5.0 percent for the year. That led to growth in the unit's operating profit of 11 percent for the quarter and six percent for the year.

For space and satellite operations, sales rose 28 percent for the quarter and eight percent for the year while profit rose 43 percent for the quarter and two percent for the year.