Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management (LMATM) today announced the opening of a representative office in Moscow to address a broad spectrum of civil aviation infrastructure needs in Russia and other CIS states. As an initial step, the company also proposed the deployment of new technology to provide air traffic control for major segments of Russian airspace currently uncontrolled by radar.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, LMATM President Don Antonucci said, "We look forward to establishing technology partnerships with Russia and neighboring countries to improve the CIS region's aviation infrastructure. These improvements can open airspace, generate revenues via overflight and landing fees and thus contribute to economic development and progress in the region."

As one of several planned initiatives, Lockheed Martin is proposing that its advanced system for non-radar controlled airspace management be deployed at two to four centers in northern Russia. These installations would provide control for the first time in areas currently unserved by radar and modernize cross-polar air traffic management for flights from North America, saving time and fuel costs for airlines and increasing overflight revenues for Russia.

"The system we are proposing to deploy is similar to one recently selected by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for installation at the three FAA centers that control over half of the world's oceanic airspace," said Antonucci. "It relies on advanced satellite position reporting and data communications to improve situational awareness. The system also includes a conflict probe that allows airplanes to fly closer together and select optimal routes, which improves efficiencies in using the airspace. It is ideally suited for handling significant traffic loads in non-radar controlled airspace, such as northern Russia and the polar region."

The company is also working with transportation authorities in Russia and surrounding states to plan other airspace modernization projects. In December 2000, LMATM signed 15-year agreement to modernize the Republic of Georgia's aviation infrastructure. Under the agreement, the company is evaluating a wide range of aviation related projects, such as the establishment of a regional airline. The company has held detailed discussions on transportation and other infrastructure initiatives in Kazakhstan and hopes to conclude an agreement within the next few months. Similarly, last month, the company signed a memorandum of agreement with the Ukraine to plan an aviation modernization program.

Antonucci said that these agreements further the company's strategy of establishing significant long-term airspace modernization partnerships with countries and regions. "Increasingly we are finding that countries are seeking partners, rather than suppliers, who can work with them to develop long term technology strategies, rather than point solutions. This approach not only protects the country's investment in technology, but also addresses the multi-faceted issues of country-wide airspace management, such as systems, financing, facilities, training and support. We look forward to a long, successful partnership here in Russia and in other countries in the region."

LMATM is a global leader in air traffic management, currently responsible for systems that daily control over 60 percent of the world's air traffic from more than 220 air traffic control facilities. The company's customers include the United States Federal Aviation Administration, and international civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, the People's Republic of China, Argentina, and New Zealand.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland USA, 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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management