Lockheed Martin today opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Farnborough. The new reconfigurable experimentation facility -- called "Swift" because it will rapidly develop solutions to complex problems -- will help Lockheed Martin and its civil and military customers collaborate to create new solutions to address emerging threats and other operational challenges using network enabled capabilities (NEC).

Located in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre, the lab gives Lockheed Martin and its customers an unparalleled ability to run detailed and realistic programme analysis in a network-enabled environment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony today in Farnborough, Stan Sloane, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President for Integrated Systems & Solutions (IS&S), said, "Swift brings together Lockheed Martin experts, customers and industry partners in a high-tech facility designed to accelerate the development of solutions that enhance our customers' mission performance. Here we will apply state-of-the-art processes and tools to evaluate new concepts of operations and measure the effectiveness of solutions."

Lockheed Martin UK Chief Executive, Ian Stopps, added, "This new facility represents an incredible resource for Lockheed Martin and our customers. By prototyping solutions in the Swift lab, we can effectively simulate operations to give our customers a clearer understanding of future technologies, challenges and opportunities."

The laboratory allows for detailed programme simulation and technology insertion, which accelerates prototyping and reduces risk. Through exhaustive analysis and collaborative experimentation, it will develop transformational capabilities in areas such as multi-intelligence information fusion; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission management; situational awareness; and battlefield visualization.

The facility brings together a formidable combination of NEC technologies through its links with similar facilities in the UK and the USA. These capabilities enable the development of innovative solutions for current programmes and will push the boundaries of the possible for future projects.

"We're excited by the opportunity to enhance cross-Atlantic collaboration as we apply the breadth of Lockheed Martin's technical competencies, processes and domain expertise to address our customers' significant challenges," Sloane said. "Swift also represents a key step in IS&S' strategy of expanding our business in the UK and other international markets."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin