Lockheed Martin is nearing completion of its integration, experimentation, analysis and visualization Center for Innovation. The Center combines innovative processes, advanced technologies and a robust analytical test-bed to help government and industry experts create new operational concepts and net-centric solutions. The Center is on schedule to open in Spring 2005.

"Our customers are facing dynamic new environments where the speed and assimilation of data into real time, actionable information is paramount," said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Center for Innovation is a unique facility where we will collaborate with our customers and industry partners in developing the kind of integrated, net- centric solutions needed to address the present and emerging threats facing our nation."

The Center for Innovation was previously called the Global Vision Integration Center. The new name more accurately defines the facility's role in integrating and leveraging capabilities of current and future systems, sensors and platforms to help customers transform 21st Century military and government operations.

"More than a demonstration facility, the Center focuses on rapid prototyping, collaborative experimentation and exhaustive analysis to address our customers' most pressing needs and future requirements," said Stan Sloane, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems & Solutions, who leads the company's horizontal integration initiatives. The Center's initial efforts address: advanced command, control and communications and information operations; joint force projection; logistics; surveillance and reconnaissance; missile defense; and homeland security.

The Center includes a Global Information Grid test-bed -- the first of its kind in an industry research and development facility -- for platform and systems integration and rigorous evaluation of potential net-centric solutions. The test-bed allows collaborative experimentation and testing of a system or solution in a simulated operational net-centric environment prior to development or deployment.

"The Center's technical resources and work environment also foster discovery and innovation, enabling business process re-engineering for both military and non-military applications," Sloane said. "By inviting our customers to share their perspective in an environment that simulates real world operations, they can test drive solutions and derive new processes to address emerging challenges."

The Center's capability and proximity to many key military commands enhance the company's focus on significant joint and operational customer issues. As a node on the Lockheed Martin Global Vision Network, the Center can link its efforts with those of other Lockheed Martin, government and industry facilities. Located in Suffolk, Virginia, the Center is close to major customers, including US Joint Forces Command, US Navy Fleet Forces Command, US Air Force Air Combat Command, the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, and others.

The Center's building and infrastructure is as unique as the work that will be performed there.

   * The structure's 50,000 square feet and high ceilings provide more than
     2 million cubic feet of reconfigurable space.

   * The building has reconfigurable sectors that can support civil,
     intelligence, and Department of Defense (DoD) operational-level
     processing, as well as sensitive projects.

   * Modeling and simulation is accomplished through a robust set of systems
     for experimentation and analysis, such as the Federated Joint Semi-
     Automated Forces (JSAF) system and Joint Warfare System (JWARS).

   * The Global Information Grid testbed provides a realistic indication of
     how integrated systems perform in the net-centric environment.

   * The building can accommodate actual military vehicles or aircraft if
     needed to evaluate on-board systems in a fully networked operating
     environment.

Sloane added that the theme for the Center for Innovation is that of a lighthouse, drawing on the rich maritime history of the region and the role of lighthouses in ensuring safe navigation. "Just as mariners through the ages have depended on lighthouses to show them the path forward, we hope the Center will serve as a guiding light for our customers in helping them define solutions to their challenging problems," he said.

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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin