The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a 10-year Aircrew Training and Rehearsal Support II (ATARS II) contract. The $1.1 billion contract will provide Air Force Special Operations Command crews with training on a variety of weapon systems. The win extends Lockheed Martin's role as the principal mission rehearsal trainer for Air Force Special Operations and Search and Rescue aircrews. The company was awarded the original ATARS contract in 1987.

"For nearly two decades, Lockheed Martin has provided a total spectrum of training solutions for Special Operations and Air Force Search and Rescue aircrews," said Dale Bennett, president of Lockheed Martin Simulation Training & Support. "This award shows that the Air Force continues to have strong confidence in our ability to provide rapid-turnaround solutions for the special operations warfighter."

ATARS II represents the next-generation training system for special operations crews at several locations: Kirtland Air Force Base, NM; Hurlburt Field, FL; Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, PA and Fort Rucker, AL. ATARS II is a distributed, fully-networked environment that provides combat-ready aircrews to support SOF units deployed across the world in support of national requirements.

"We look forward to continuing to provide Air Force warfighters with custom-developed combat training and simulation systems that hone their piloting and mission skills at the full-service schoolhouses operated by Lockheed Martin," said Lorraine Martin, STS Flight Solutions vice president.

Lockheed Martin will provide training for the C-130 Talon, Spectre and Shadow, MH-53 Pave Low and MH-60 Pave Hawk and the CV-22 Osprey. Through the ATARS program, thousands of aircrew members are trained each year and offers additional training for flight, naval and ground systems applications.

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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin