Lockheed Martin received the 2005 Florida Governor's Award for Modeling and Simulation during a ceremony at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando.

Lockheed Martin was recognized in the acquisition category for developing and delivering the Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer (VCCT) system through a streamlined, non-traditional acquisition process that enabled the rapid fielding of the system in 2004. VCCT systems currently are used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and to date have trained more than 25,000 troops.

Now in its seventh year, the Governor's Award recognizes an organization, program or project for outstanding achievement in the field of modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) exercising innovative efforts that achieved a significant impact on the advancement of MS&T during the year. All aspects of MS&T are topics for award consideration, including pioneering acquisition. Award nominees may represent government, industry or academia.

With many wartime casualties occurring during convoy operations, the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) made industry aware of a critical requirement to train Soldiers headed for duty in hot spots including Baghdad, Tikrit and Fallujah. Lockheed Martin worked with the Army to execute an innovative acquisition process that enabled the company to expeditiously develop and deliver the VCCT to the field.

Lockheed Martin delivered convoy trainers to various Army and Marine Corps training sites in 2004 and 2005. The U.S. Air Force recently awarded a contract for a VCCT system so that Airmen can experience the same critical training as their Soldier and Marine counterparts.

Nominations for the Governor's Award are made through the National Center of Simulation to an awards committee of the National Training Systems Association.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit our websites: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin