Lockheed Martin recently took the Marine Corps Aviation Simulator Master Plan F/A-18D simulator for its first flight using a new, PC-driven image generator and host computer system designed to enhance performance and lower life-cycle cost.

The newly designed training system enhances Marine air-ground task force combat skills by providing a high fidelity tactical training environment. The simulator is the latest Lockheed Martin offering that provides realistic offensive and defensive weapon simulations without risk to aircrew and aircraft. The Marine Corps program is designed to increase the probability of success of combat flight training and subsequently real combat flight.

"Lockheed Martin provides an integrated approach to delivering total training solutions that enable warfighters to train like they fight," said Lockheed Martin Information Systems President Dan Crowley. "Our training experts have the capability to connect unlike systems and make them work together, with a payoff for the customer in term of value and utility."

The new F/A-18D simulator has distributed mission training capability and networked systems that allow the pilot to "see" and react to other simulators located next door or across the ocean as though they were flying side-by-side. The system's open architecture design makes it easily upgradeable using Lockheed Martin's PC image generator technology and commercially available off-the-shelf products.

The F/A-18D simulator provides high fidelity tactical and emergency procedures training for both the pilot and the Weapon Systems Officer. The training system entered the hardware and software development phase in March and final delivery will occur in December 2003. Following the final delivery, the trainer will be deployed to Iwakuni, Japan in January 2004. Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract from the Marine Corps Aviation Simulator Master Plan in March 2000.

"Lockheed Martin immerses the warfighter, from initial qualification to mission rehearsal, in real-world training," Crowley said. "We manage and support all aspects of the training cycle, from instructional systems design to the graduating warfighter."

Two other Marine Corps training simulation systems, the CH-46 and CH-53 are currently in final test at New River Marine Corps Air Station and on schedule for a mid-July delivery. These rotary-wing trainers are part of the continuum of training being developed for the U.S. Marines by Lockheed Martin.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Media Contact: Carlton Caldwell, (407) 306-6861; e-mail, carlton.caldwell@lmco.com

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Information Systems