US defense giant Lockheed Martin Monday announced that chief executive Marillyn Hewson will take over as chairman of the Pentagon contractor in January.

Hewson, who became the first female chief executive at Lockheed in January 2013, will assume the top spot on the board with the retirement of current chairman Robert Stevens.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed employs about 116,000 people worldwide. The company's 2012 net sales came in at $47.2 billion.

Hewson's appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile leadership posts for women.

Last week, General Motors became the first major auto company to appoint a female chief executive, Mary Barra.

The US Senate this week is expected to approve Janet Yellen to be the first female chair of the US Federal Reserve.