Lockheed Martin tracking and fusion technologies proved to be the best available following a series of elite government-sponsored simulations for the Navy's future surface combatant ship, DD(X).

Three companies were invited by the U.S. Government to participate in an Integrated Tactical Picture (ITP) Prototype Trade Study to evaluate advanced data fusion technologies to fuse multi-source tactical and operational data generated by onboard and off-board sensors. In this evaluation, data from various sensor sources were correlated and fused by fusion engines into system tracks.

The competition required competitors to track aircraft, ships, submarines, and land targets, and was based on a number of simulated multi-warfare scenarios. Quantitative measures of data fusion performance were evaluated across a range of scenarios that incorporated data from five different sensor types. The results showed Lockheed Martin Orincon's data fusion system to be clearly superior.

Pat McLaughlin, Lockheed Martin Orincon Advanced Concepts director said, "Lockheed Martin Orincon's technology was the only one capable of processing all of the inputs fast enough to have a fully integrated operational picture available at all times. It was the only tracker to perform equally well across all warfare areas, demonstrating consistently superior performance and was the only tracker shown to run in real time."

The Navy is pursuing transformational technologies that will, in part, speed up the decision making process with increased accuracy and involve fewer personnel. Further, they are engaging industry to provide an accurate, real- time operational picture available to a composable community of participants, based on subscriber needs. In short, they want a widely available, accurate picture with actionable information, when needed.

DD(X) is one member of the family of multi-mission surface ships that will deliver a vast range of warfighting capabilities using innovative and technologically complex systems.

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