LONDON, March 12, 2007 –

Lockheed Martin UK has successfully completed the trial aspect of a Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP) for their conceptual Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Electronic Architecture (EA) at two UK test facilities.

A four-week schedule of trials and tests demonstrated the ability of the EA equipped General Dynamics Advanced Hybrid Electric Drive vehicle to detect and track targets and transmit images between platforms and headquarters through the current tactical radio and battlefield communications systems. The demonstrations were carried out at the Millbrook Test Facility, Ampthill, and the EA System Integration Laboratory at Ultra Electronics facilities, Loudwater. Ultra Electronics – together with Smiths Aerospace, Scisys, PA Consulting and Cranfield University – comprise the Lockheed Martin-led Team ISIS.

The interaction and integration with the BOWMAN radio system and the associated Common Battlefield Application Tool Set software demonstrate that the Team ISIS EA could be developed to form the centrepiece of a Networked Enabled Capability. All tests were conducted with assistance from a small team of Army personnel, operating in both simulated urban and non-urban environments.

The trials and tests were the culmination of an 18 month EA TDP - part of the initial Assessment Phase of the FRES programme - and were declared an overall success by the Systems House, Atkins, verifying the EA as precursory technology that has informed the FRES candidate System Requirements Document.

“Lockheed Martin and Team ISIS have provided an Electronic Architecture concept which could theoretically be developed to meet the requirements and capabilities for FRES, and current platforms in use with the Army”, said Keith Rayborn, Lockheed Martin’s FRES Programme Director. “Our experience as a systems integrator is unparalleled and we look forward to the next phase.”

Rayborn continued, “The trials of the Team ISIS EA displays the transition between concept and reality, and enhances the possibility of FRES becoming a reality in the near future, meeting the Initial Operating Capability and a subsequent Full Operating Capability.”

Lockheed Martin UK, a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a leader in systems integration working on major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors. Lockheed Martin works with more than 100 business partners and employs over 1500 people at 15 sites across the UK.