Deliveries Set For April 2005

The US Air Force has authorized Rockwell Collins to begin the $36.9M Lot II, the first phase of full rate production, as part of the C/KC-135 Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) program.  This first production phase calls for the building, delivery and installation of 30 additional R-model aircraft ship sets with deliveries beginning in April 2005.  If fully executed, the GATM program could generate $600 million in revenue for Rockwell Collins.

"We are proud of this milestone and look forward to continued success with the C/KC-135 GATM program," said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones. "This milestone is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to meet budget and schedule targets for government projects."

Last summer, Rockwell Collins officials presented the US Air Force with the first C/KC-135 production aircraft equipped with Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) technology during a ceremony in San Antonio.

Prior to this first production authorization, the $55 million Phase 1 low-rate initial production option included delivery and installation of avionics for 50 C/KC-135 tanker/transport aircraft.  The Air Force then authorized the $32 million second phase of low-rate initial production as part of the GATM program. The second phase called for the building, delivery and installation of 25 additional R-model aircraft ship sets.

As the prime avionics systems integrator for the US Air Force C/KC-135 GATM program, Rockwell Collins is providing technology that prepares aircraft for changing communication/navigation/surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) requirements as the airspace transitions to Free Flight operation.

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com