FAA Awards $221 Million Extension To AFFS Contract

The FAA has extended Lockheed Martin's work providing flight planning and safety support to pilots under the Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) contract. The contract option period begins October 1 with a total value of $221 million over two years.

Since 2005, Lockheed Martin Flight Services has modernized and improved delivery of general aviation flight planning services in the United States. Pilots are now able to file and close flight plans with Flight Services online; receive text, e-mail and satellite alerts regarding dangerous conditions; and activate precise life-saving search and rescue tracking capabilities. These technologies complement the expertise of Lockheed Martin Flight Services specialists who provide safe and efficient flight planning briefings to thousands of pilots annually via the phone and inflight radio.

In 2012, the Lockheed Martin team filed more than 1 million flight plans for aviation pilots; provided more than 1.5 million pilot weather briefings; answered 457,575 aviation radio contacts; and helped pilots in 6,691 aviation search and rescue events.

"We've combined our specialists' expertise with user-friendly technology, to enhance safety not only for general aviation pilots but for all users of the national airspace," said Jim Derr, director of aviation services for Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions business. "With this contract option, we look forward to continuing to invest in and deliver technology that enables pilots to receive timely flight safety and briefing information more easily."

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com/transportation