NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> said on Thursday fourth-quarter profit rose, helped by strong sales of its electronic warfare and space systems.

The world's largest defense contractor, which makes F-16 fighter jets and Patriot missiles, and carries out a host of civil government services, reported quarterly profit of $799 million, or $1.89 per share, compared with $729 million, or $1.68 per share, in the year-earlier quarter.

(Reporting by Bill Rigby; Editing by Derek Caney)