Awards to two Canadian firms for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft's Instructional System Development (ISD) tools signal a continued international presence on the Lockheed Martin-led team to produce an initial 22 aircraft in the program's System Development and Demonstration phase. Applied Courseware Technology, Inc., Fredericton, New Brunswick, and BNH Expert Software, Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec, received combined awards worth in excess of (US) $400,000.

These ISD tools will greatly enhance the efficiency of training team to automate and integrate processes previously achieved with standalone databases. Applied Courseware Technology and BNH were selected from an original competitive field of 71 U.S. and international suppliers.

"The multi-service F-35 JSF fighter aircraft will advance capabilities well into the 21st century, and we are committed to provide the latest training and support systems necessary to ensure effective support for the aircraft and its crews," said Lockheed Martin Information Systems President Dan Crowley. "Due to technologies made available through contracts such as these, pilot and maintainer training for the F-35 JSF aircraft, as well as integrated support functions, will truly make this the most supportable combat aircraft ever produced."

Plans call for more than 2,500 aircraft over the life of the program, a cornerstone of future defense capability for the United States and its allied partners. Variants of the F-35 will be fielded beginning around 2008 to replace current aircraft including the A-10, F-16, F/A-18C/D, AV-8B Harrier, the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier and the Royal Air Force's Harrier GR.7. The joint service aircraft will provide high lethality, maneuverability, survivability and maintainability at an affordable cost.

The F-35's final assembly takes place in Texas with training and support systems developed in Lockheed Martin's Orlando facilities. Lockheed Martin Information Systems is responsible for the management, design, development, and delivery of integrated pilot and maintenance training system under the 10-year contract worth up to $750 million.

Lockheed Martin is a leader in the design, development, installation, operation and integration of training and simulation systems for global defense markets. In 2002, Frost & Sullivan recognized Lockheed Martin for its leadership in the United States military training and simulation industry with the 2002 Market Engineering Leadership Award.

Capabilities in the Lockheed Martin training portfolio span the training continuum of live, virtual and constructive domains for flight, naval and ground systems applications. Lockheed Martin focuses on providing total training solutions by integrating the best products and services available ranging from high-fidelity virtual simulators to modern wargaming models to full-service schoolhouse operations. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise with core businesses in systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

For additional information, visit the website www.lockheedmartin.com/lmis

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Information Systems