Lockheed Martin will supply United Airlines with advanced flight planning technology designed to optimize flight routes, increase efficiency and generate cost savings. The systems integrator will provide two key technologies through its partner, Flugwerkzuege Aviation Software.

Lockheed Martin will supply United with Flugwerkzuege's Flight-planning System and the OPUS Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) system. Together, these tools will enable United Airlines to design optimal flight paths by incorporating integrated weather, NOTAM and navigation data. The systems factor in variables such as upper air temperatures, wind speeds, aircraft performance, airway and airspace restrictions, connection rules and cost constraints in order to design the most efficient, logical flight plans.

"Improving our overall operational efficiency is a priority for United," said Alexandria Marren, vice president of Operational Services for United Express and Ted at United. "We are pleased with this agreement with Lockheed and Flugwerkzuege, as it enables us to use the most efficient routing on our flights."

In 2003, United Airlines contracted with Lockheed Martin for its Flight and Weather Information and Decision Support (FltWinds(TM)) and System Performance Evaluation and Analysis Reporting (SPEAR) products. The FltWinds(TM) system is used to evaluate weather data that can affect flight decisions; the SPEAR(TM) system maintains a status of the aircraft and helps airline managers schedule flights and crew more efficiently.

"We're pleased to offer United Airlines sophisticated technology that optimizes both cost and flight efficiency while reducing fuel consumption," noted Sue Corcoran, vice president of Aviation Solutions, Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions. "The airline -- and, ultimately, travelers -- also benefit from the systems' dynamic re-routing capability, which facilitates on-time flight performance despite changing conditions."

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.

FltWinds and SPEAR are trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin