The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $3.5 million task to Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to expedite imagery and intelligence report sharing through the early fielding of the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Integration Backbone (DIB) to five Air Force sites. This interoperable internet-like system will be integrated into the existing Air Force network infrastructure, laying the foundation for the planned installation of the full DCGS upgrade while providing real-time access to critical data for operational decision makers.

"The demand for better and time critical intelligence has never been more important to the safety of our personnel on the ground and in the air. Connecting these legacy ground stations via the DIB will provide actionable intelligence that we can use to provide enhanced tactical support to our men and women fighting the global war on terror," said Lieutenant Colonel Chuck Angus, Commander of the 578th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron, at Warner Robins Air Force Base (AFB).

The core DCGS ground stations at Beale and Langley AFB produce significant amounts of imagery and multi-intelligence data that support tactical reconnaissance and strategic planning. By fielding the DIB to these and other USAF ground stations, Lockheed Martin will transform previously networked stovepipes with limited interoperability into a layered service-oriented architecture with multi-layered interoperability. This early fielding will allow users to share internal and external imagery, secondary products and reports, and all intelligence and other messages generated at ground stations worldwide.

"Lockheed Martin recognizes the importance of this delivery to the overall safety of our troops in the field," said John Mengucci, vice president and general manager of Mission and Combat Support Solutions for Lockheed Martin's Integrated Systems & Solutions business area. "Integrating the legacy deployable ground station sites onto the DIB is a cost effective method to accelerate net-centric capabilities and provide enterprise data sharing benefits to the warfighter."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 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