For the third time in four years, Lockheed Martin has been selected as the recipient of the Air Traffic Control Association's Industry Award. The award, which recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution in advancing the science of air traffic control, will be presented at ATCA's 45th Annual Meeting, International Technical Program and Exhibits, in Atlantic City, N.J., on October 24.

The award acknowledges Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management's worldwide contributions in support of ATC systems. Specifically, the company was nominated for its support of the FAA's modernization programs, including Display System Replacement (DSR), the Common Automated Radar Terminal System (Common ARTS), and the ARTS Color Display. Internationally, nominations for the award on behalf of Lockheed Martin came from the German Civil Aviation Authority and the United Kingdom's National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS).

William Semple, Chief Executive, NATS, nominated Lockheed Martin for its "outstanding performance and leadership exhibited during technical transfer of the New En Route Centre." Peter Waldinger, Managing Director, Operational Systems, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, commended the company for "their outstanding performance and cooperation exhibited during the implementation of the new DFS Short Term Conflict Alert programme." Ronald Morgan, FAA's director of Air Traffic, cited Lockheed Martin's "superb performance" on both DSR and ARTS, calling the deployment "a remarkable achievement and deserving of this caliber of recognition."

"Commitment to the requirements of our customers and delivery on our promises drive every program we undertake," says Don Antonucci, president, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management. "We want to be known as the best and that motivates us. I'm proud to accept this award on behalf of Lockheed Martin and the team that earned it."

DSR is the cornerstone FAA air traffic control modernization program, replacing 20-to-30 year old air traffic control equipment in all FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers. The 20th and final center went operational May 31 of this year, the entire program coming in on budget and on time.

Completed in 27 months, on budget, the Common ARTS air traffic control system upgrade provides new modern computers for air traffic controllers at 136 of the FAA's approach control facilities nationwide.

Lockheed Martin's Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) color display completed FAA acceptance one month early and is now operational at the New York TRACON.

The DFS STCA system, a safety net that detects potential conflicts and provides warning alerts to the controllers, is operational at the Frankfurt Control Center in Langen, Germany, and soon will be operational at three additional centers in Germany.

Technical transfer was successfully accomplished at the New En Route Centre, an air traffic control facility that will provide the capacity for handling the rapidly increasing air traffic over England and Wales. Full operational capability is expected on January 27, 2002.

A leader in airspace management solutions, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management customers currently include the FAA and international civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, the People's Republic of China and Argentina. Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management employs approximately 1,300 people at major facilities in Rockville, Maryland, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Eagan, Minnesota, and Southampton, England.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management