Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. has completed a major milestone in the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) by installing the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) in all of the C-5 Galaxies in the U.S. Air Force's operational fleet.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. .

TCAS identifies aircraft in the pilot's vicinity and displays a conflict resolution that greatly reduces the threat of in-flight collisions. It is one of the first steps in bringing the C-5 into mandated navigation and safety compliance.

"TCAS has been a very successful operation with every installation completed either early or on time," said Blair Marks, Lockheed Martin's strategic airlift deputy for AMP. "This is an important first step toward full modernization of the C-5 fleet, and we look forward to demonstrating the capabilities of the new avionics systems beginning with the AMP Block 1.1 flight-testing early next year."

TCAS already has provided great benefit to the Air Force. Recently, a TCAS-equipped C-5 from Dover Air Force Base, Del., was operating in an area where a power outage had shut down local air traffic control. TCAS alerted the crew to a light aircraft near their flight path in sufficient time to allow the crew to take evasive maneuvers. Air Force officials credited TCAS with saving the aircraft and crew.

  Other AMP milestones:
  --  The first C-5A was inducted into the AMP on July 24, 2002.
  --  C-5 AMP software Block 1.2 engineering test build was released
      July 26, as scheduled.  This build incorporates increased
      functionality in the Automatic Flight Control and the Flight
      Management Systems.
  --  Modification of the first AMP C-5B aircraft is complete, and system
      checkouts are proceeding.
  --  First flight of the first AMP C5-B aircraft is planned for first
      quarter 2003.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Marietta, Ga., managed the TCAS program, and Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Greenville, S.C., managed the contract field teams and installations.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp., 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. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corp., visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company