The U.S. Army Communications - Electronics Command (CECOM) has selected a Lockheed Martin- led team for the competitive downselect phase of the $7 billion Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) program. The Lockheed Martin team was awarded one of two three-year, $75 million contracts to define, validate and test the architecture and technology that will make up the core of the WIN-T system.

WIN-T is a program to bring enhanced mobile bandwidth and networking capability to the battlefield. WIN-T will provide modern networking technology to Army warfighters, enabling battlefield situational awareness on the move and giving commanders new capability to synchronize combat power. The system will provide a highly secure network backbone for high-speed communications for voice, data and video on the battlefield, and ensure interoperability with Joint and Coalition Forces.

"Successful WIN-T execution is central to the Army's Transformation to the Objective Force," said David J. Kelley, Lockheed Martin WIN-T Program Executive. "WIN-T will provide Mobile Battle Command capabilities that allow commanders to 'plug into' the network from any location in the battlespace. It will enable collaborative planning and information dissemination at internet speed to turn inside the enemy's decision loop," said Kelley, a retired Army Lieutenant General. The system will be configured for mobility, rugged and compact enough for transport aboard C-130 aircraft.

The three-year downselect contract is divided into two phases. Over the twelve-month Phase I period, the team will define the architecture for WIN-T, focusing on risk management, technology readiness, and coordination with other Army Transformation programs such as the Future Combat System. In Phase II, which runs 23 months, the team will demonstrate modeling and simulation of the WIN-T architecture and develop a prototype system for testing by Army users. The production contract award is expected in 2005.

Lockheed Martin is the lead systems integrator for "Team WIN-T," a highly skilled group of telecommunications and networking providers that bring experience and leadership in key technology areas. Team WIN-T includes communications systems integrator Harris Corporation and networking market leader Cisco Systems, as well as ACS Defense, Inc., SRI International, CACI, INNOLOG, and Integrated Solutions Inc. Lockheed Martin provides its systems integration skills from development of Army Battle Command System programs and integrated logistics.

The Corporation's lead enterprise for Information Superiority, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems serves customers including U.S. and international defense and civil government agencies. Mission Systems employs approximately 2,500 at facilities in Gaithersburg, Colorado Springs, and Santa Maria, Calif., and is a business unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., 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.

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Mission Systems visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/missionsystems

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin