Could Be Worth a Billion Bucks....

The FAA has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for the next generation En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program. ERAM will modernize the nation's core air traffic control automation system, enhancing security and providing new capabilities to increase efficiency and capacity.

The first stage of this effort is a $10 million risk mitigation phase. Upon successful completion of this phase, the FAA intends to award the implementation contract to Lockheed Martin for the full ERAM program. The projected value for implementation and support over the FAA's Operational Evolution Plan period through 2012 is estimated at $1 billion.

"We believe the FAA has made the best decision for the flying public in bringing together the nation's most experienced air traffic management solution providers to deliver this urgently needed system," said Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management President Don Antonucci.

The announcement follows a full and open acquisition process that was conducted concurrent with Alternate Dispute Resolution of a Raytheon protest. As a result of both actions, Lockheed Martin has been awarded the ERAM contract as prime contractor, and Raytheon will join the Lockheed Martin ERAM team as a subcontractor contributing to the design and development of the critical flight and surveillance data processing subsystems. Continuing on the Lockheed Martin team are Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), The Boeing Company, Harris Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and several smaller companies with unique air traffic management capabilities and products.

The actions have also resulted in Lockheed Martin joining the Raytheon Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) team to apply its expertise in high density terminal air traffic control technology. Lockheed Martin has provided core automation systems and support for U.S. terminal air traffic control for four decades. Its Common Automated Radar Terminal System (Common ARTS) is operational in the nation's busiest terminal approach control facilities, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of approximately 14,000,000 flights annually.

"The net effect of these decisions will be the integration and application of the best technology across both en route and terminal air traffic control domains," said Antonucci. "That's a win for the FAA, the airlines, and most importantly, the flying public who will benefit from a more efficient and secure air traffic control system."

The ERAM program will be an evolutionary, infrastructure modernization of the current en route air traffic control automation system. The system is used at the 21 FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers to control aircraft flying at high altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet. ERAM will upgrade the National Airspace System (NAS) software and will provide the FAA with enhanced automation features to accommodate increases in air traffic and new innovations. Open, standards-based system software will be written and integrated into a new, highly secure system architecture.

FMI: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/atm