Lockheed Martin and the United States Air Force's Electronic Systems Center (ESC) have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to develop advanced tactical and airborne network communications capabilities.

Lockheed Martin, in cooperation with ESC and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, NY, will independently validate airborne network architecture for joint tactical networks. The airborne network CRADA will also reduce risk for the government and accelerate fielding of airborne network capabilities.

"The Airborne Network CRADA offers Lockheed Martin and all the Services an opportunity to jointly accelerate needed capabilities to the warfighter," said Dom Costa, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Joint Tactical Radio System. "Airborne network communications are essential for mission success, and this research, along with the other independent research Lockheed Martin is conducting, will allow the military to employ new capabilities at a lower cost and with reduced risk. We look forward to working with ESC and AFRL on this critical capability."

Lockheed Martin, a leading provider of advanced military network communications, regularly conducts independent research to minimize risk and cost of military programs, including the Airborne and maritime/Fixed Stations Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS).

Lockheed Martin leads a team of communications, systems and platform integration experts that is competing for the AMF JTRS program. AMF JTRS will replace aging, stove pipe radios with a revolutionary new hardware and software system that will allow pilots, sailors and commanders to communicate with any other friendly unit and to participate in Net-Centric Operations as a networked node.

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