One of the world's most advanced terminal air traffic control systems from Lockheed Martin is in service, helping to manage flight operations for the greater Washington, D.C. metro area at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) newest consolidated terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facility here. The Potomac Consolidated TRACON represents the 141st installation of Lockheed Martin's Common Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS), with every installation accomplished within the FAA's established schedule and budget.

The Potomac TRACON, which began operations at 1:08 a.m. on Saturday December 14, will consolidate air traffic control operations from the region's five existing TRACONs that handle air traffic for the major airports -- Baltimore-Washington International, Dulles, Reagan National and Richmond airports, as well as Andrews Air Force Base. Aircraft flying in and out of Dulles International Airport was the first to be handled by controllers at the new facility. Consolidation of air traffic operations has been done in hand with a redesign of the airspace that will move air traffic in and out of the region more efficiently and safely. The FAA's airspace changes will keep aircraft at higher altitudes longer, decreasing noise levels and saving fuel.

The Common ARTS system helps the consolidated TRACON support increased demands on the air traffic system by providing more than 10 times the capacity of older systems and offering more functionality. New, color controller workstations can support any airspace sector serving any airport, providing increased levels of backup support not available with five individual TRACON operations. And, the Common ARTS system has higher availability and is more reliable than the older system it replaces.

The new Potomac TRACON will handle more than 2 million flight operations annually in a 23,000-square mile regional area that also includes parts of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia Delaware and Pennsylvania. The FAA has installed the Common ARTS system at the nation's busiest TRACONs to ensure the continued safe and efficient movement of approximately 14 million flights annually. TRACONs control aircraft approaching and departing between five and 50 miles of the airport. The Warrenton facility is home to more than 300 air traffic controllers and technicians and provides flight approach control services to large and smaller airports in the region.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) was instrumental in helping secure funding for construction of the state-of-the-art facility. Rep. Wolf said, "This is a vital and important step in the FAA's modernization program to more efficiently manage the heavy volume of air traffic in our region and enormous aviation safety, capacity, efficiency and cost-saving benefits that will be realized by air travelers, pilots, controllers and taxpayers."

"We're extremely pleased to be a part of this new facility and the technology improvements that it offers for managing the airspace," said Don Antonucci, president, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management. "The FAA's consolidation of regional approach control operations will improve air safety and efficiency for the flying public. We're very proud that this installation continues Lockheed Martin's unbroken record of on-time and on-budget performance on Common ARTS."

The Common ARTS system at the Potomac TRACON interfaces with 15 long- and short-range radars, and has 10 times the capacity of older systems it replaces. ARTS Color Displays (ACD) and Remote ARTS Color Tower Displays (RACD) are used at the Potomac TRACON and the 11 air traffic control towers supported by the new consolidated facility. Common ARTS incorporates advanced computer-human interface techniques developed in collaboration with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Professional Airways Systems Specialists organization, and is installed nationwide at the FAA's largest and most complex air traffic operational facilities.

"In 140 previous installations, the Common ARTS system has demonstrated its capabilities at the busiest FAA terminal facilities with outstanding performance and under the most stringent circumstances," said Sue Corcoran, vice president of North American Programs for Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management. "Common ARTS is a proven system that delivers real benefits to the technicians who maintain them and the air traffic controllers who use the system," said Corcoran.

Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management has four decades' experience in delivering advanced air traffic management solutions to customers worldwide, and focuses on systems integration, engineering design, development, test, delivery and support of Communications, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS/ATM) systems. With its solid record of on-schedule, on-budget performance, the company has earned the prestigious Air Traffic Control Association's Industry Award in four of the last six years. A registered ISO 9001 company, Air Traffic Management employs approximately 1,300 people at major facilities in Rockville, Md., Atlantic City, N.J., Eagan, Minn., and Southampton, England.

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 Air Traffic Management visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/atm

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

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin