Lockheed Martin reported a higher first-quarter profit on Tuesday and reaffirmed its forecasts for the year on the back of resilient demand for its missile systems and fighter jets. Defense contractors have benefited from a surge in demand for weapons against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. Lockheed's aerospace business, which makes the F-35 fighter jet, posted a 3.1% rise in sales in the first quarter. The company's net income rose to $1.71 billion, or $7.28 per share, in the quarter, from about $1.55 billion, or $6.39 per share, a year earlier.