All flights in the greater Washington, D.C.-area are now being managed by an advanced air traffic control system developed by Lockheed Martin for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) new Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach CONtrol (TRACON) facility here.

Lockheed Martin's Common Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) provides flight approach and departure air traffic control for all major area airports, helping to manage traffic in a 23,000-square mile region that includes parts of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The Potomac TRACON began initial operations in December 2002 and added the Baltimore airspace sector, the last of five sectors, in April. The Potomac TRACON will be recognized in a celebration event May 17 by the Washington Airports Task Force.

"We applaud our FAA customer and partner for successfully handling this busy airspace consolidation," said Don Antonucci, president, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management. "Our Common ARTS system is state-of-the-art technology -- a proven system that will help improve air safety and efficiency for the flying public. We're delighted that our system was selected to support the FAA's most advanced TRACONs, and in particular, this integrated airspace coverage."

The Potomac TRACON is the 141st installation of Common ARTS technology, with every one accomplished within the government's established schedule and budget.

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.

The Potomac TRACON will handle more than two million flight operations annually. It consolidates air traffic operations for the major airports in the region -- Baltimore-Washington International, Dulles International, Reagan National and Richmond airports, as well as Andrews Air Force Base. The FAA has installed the Common ARTS technology at the nation's busiest TRACONs, including New York, Southern California, Atlanta, Northern California, Dallas- Ft. Worth, and Chicago to ensure the continued safe and efficient movement of approximately 14 million flights annually.

The consolidation of the individual TRACONs will allow the FAA to redesign airspace for the region to have more efficient, direct flight routings. The FAA's airspace changes will keep aircraft at higher altitudes longer, decreasing noise levels and saving fuel.

Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management has four decades of experience in delivering advanced aviation 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, 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/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management