Harris Corporation and Lockheed Martin today announced the establishment of a strategic alliance to address opportunities in the estimated $5 billion worldwide market for domestic and international airspace management solutions.

Specifically, the firms will explore opportunities to fully integrate solutions for air traffic management automation, navigation, traffic flow management, communications and weather that will improve operating efficiencies for airlines and safety for the traveling public.

Commenting on the agreement announced today at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) in Washington, D.C., Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management President Don Antonucci said, "Future airspace management efficiency and safety improvements require solutions that cross traditional technology stovepipes. This alliance combines our expertise in air traffic management with Harris' complementary strengths in communications and weather to offer the FAA and international air navigation services customers integrated solutions."

"Improvements in civil aviation safety and efficiency are now more critical than ever since the events of 9/11 and the subsequent pressures on the aviation community to respond to new challenges," said Bob Henry, president, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD). "This strategic alliance allows Harris and Lockheed Martin to apply the best of both companies' capabilities in order to more rapidly and cost-effectively serve the needs of the FAA and the global aviation community."

Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin would lead opportunities related to air traffic management automation, navigation and traffic flow management, while Harris would lead opportunities in communications and weather. Harris is on the Lockheed Martin-led National Team for the FAA En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program awarded in June and Lockheed Martin is on the Harris-led team for the FAA NEXCOM program currently in competition. Lockheed Martin has also joined the Harris-led team for the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) program awarded in July. The firms project several additional addressable opportunities over the next five years.

The agreement calls for the companies to evaluate potential opportunities on a case-by-case basis, and, if appropriate, team on any identified opportunity or program for which customers would benefit from a combined approach.

Harris GCSD, one of five divisions within Harris Corporation, conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces and supports state-of-the-art, assured communications and information systems that solve the mission-critical communications challenges of its military and government customers, as well as provides the technology base for the company's diverse commercial businesses. Harris Corporation, which also provides microwave, broadcast, network support, and tactical radio products and systems, has sales and services facilities in more than 90 countries.

Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management has four decades' experience in delivering advanced air traffic management solutions to customers worldwide, and focuses on systems integration, engineering design, development, test, delivery and support of Communications, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS/ATM) systems. With its solid record of on-schedule, on-budget performance, the company has earned the prestigious Air Traffic Control Association's Industry Award in four of the last six years. A registered ISO 9001 company, Air Traffic Management employs approximately 1,300 people at major facilities in Rockville, Md., Atlantic City, N.J., Eagan, Minn., and Southampton, England.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

For additional information on Harris Government Communications Systems Division visit: http://www.govcom.harris.com/

  For additional information on Harris Corporation visit:
  http://www.harris.com/

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/atm

For additional information on Lockheed Martin Corporation visit:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management