The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected Lockheed Martin to operate the agency's Automated Flight Services Station (AFSS) network in the contiguous United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

The 5-year, 5-option year contract, resulting from a competition conducted by the FAA under the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76, is valued at $1.9 billion. Lockheed Martin will begin pre-operations planning activities during a phase-in period beginning next month.

Lockheed Martin will install new technology and upgrade facilities to improve efficiency of Flight Service Stations while maintaining the safety of the aviation system. The technology includes networked flight support systems that will streamline flight planning, and allow the sharing of weather and air space system status across the entire AFSS network. The new data systems will also integrate communications and search and rescue services within the AFSS network.

There are approximately 2,500 employees in the FAA's AFSS organization. Lockheed Martin will offer Flight Services Station employees who transition with the new contract employment at their current salary level and with comparable benefits. The company also will offer training and promotion opportunities.

"The men and women who staff the Flight Service Stations have done an exemplary job of keeping our aviation system the best in world. Our mission with this contract is to bring them 21st century technology that will help them do their jobs even better than before," said Linda Gooden, President, Lockheed Martin Information Technology.

To achieve the overall mission, Lockheed Martin will upgrade the current AFSS technology and facilities resulting in improved overall performance, customer satisfaction and safety. This combination of technology and planned organizational efficiency improvements allows for the consolidation of the current 58 AFSS sites to approximately 20. The consolidation will take place over the next two years.

"We know that a modernization of this magnitude can be difficult for employees. Lockheed Martin has developed a comprehensive plan to provide opportunities for all AFSS employees while ensuring Flight Service Stations continue to provide seamless service to the aviation community during this transition," Gooden added. "We're excited about continuing our over 40 year partnership with the FAA and proud to be able to support the FAA AFSS program."

Lockheed Martin's teammates include Washington Consulting Group, Bethesda, Md.; Parsons Corporation, Pasadena, CA.; ITT Industries, Inc., West Plains, N.Y.; VT Group plc, Atlanta, GA; Crown Consulting, Inc., Washington, D.C.; Mori Associates, Inc., Bethesda, Md. ; PriceWaterhouse Coppers, Washington, D.C.; Chugach, Anchorage, AK; Object CTalk, King of Prussia, Pa.; Redflex Communication Systems, Inc., Reston, Va.; and Aspect Communications, McLean, VA.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

For more information: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin