SANTA MARIA, Calif., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the first launch to utilize the Mission Flight Control Center (MFCC) system was a success. The MFCC system was developed and deployed under the now-complete Range Standardization and Automation Phase IIA (RSA IIA) program.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/PH85737LOGO-b )

"We are excited to deliver this mission critical system to our 30 SW customer -- this was definitely a team effort between Lockheed Martin, 30 SW, and SMC," remarked Col Janet Grondin, Chief of the Spacelift Range and Network Division at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). "We are thrilled with the successful first use of the MFCC."

Lt Col Dana Allen, the MFCC transition director from Operating Location X, Spacelift Range and Network Division at Vandenberg AFB said, "The operators and Mission Flight Control Officers were very pleased. The initial reports from them were the MFCC performed flawlessly. Allen added that there were many people from both industry and government who worked very hard to accomplish this historic achievement. "I am very appreciative of the RSA IIA contractor's significant contributions."

"The MFCC is a testament to the teamwork between the Air Force's Space & Missile Systems Center and the Lockheed Martin RSA IIA team and their dedication to the success of the mission," said Ann Ford, program manager for RSA IIA. "This first launch illustrates the success of the system, of the program, and of the people."

The Western Range launch of a Delta IV, carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, was the first to use the MFCC. The purpose of MFCC is to ensure the protection of life and property in the vicinity of the launch in the event of malfunctions. 

In addition to designing, developing and deploying the MFCC during the RSA IIA program, Lockheed Martin's accomplishments included deriving the concept of operations, training the operators as individuals and crews, demonstrating proficiency through the end-to-end scenario based testing, ensuring the system is fully certified with respect to Information Assurance, and providing Level 1 maintenance and Level 2 sustainment.

Under the RSA IIA contract, Lockheed Martin has delivered capabilities to both the Eastern Range and Western Range including communications networks, network management, weather instrumentation, telemetry processing, pre and post-flight analysis tools, system time management and launch range safety mission control.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin