FORT WORTH, Texas, December 10th, 1998 -- The Association for Enterprise Integration (AFEI) recently honored Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems for its successful progress in transitioning to a full digital environment for the exchange of technical data on the F-16, F-22, Joint Strike Fighter, F-2 and KTX-2 tactical aircraft programs.

The award was presented in Long Beach, Calif., during AFEI's 1998 Award Dinner. Lockheed Martin was selected as one of three honorable mentions for the 1998 CALS Implementor Honor Roll Award. Accepting the award for Lockheed Martin was Mike Jahadi, manager, CAD/CAM integration and strategic planning.

"Lockheed Martin is to be commended for implementing systems and procedures that are on the verge of virtually eliminating paper-based data for the customer," said Gerald McKay, executive director of AFEI. "As a consequence, the company has realized significant savings and process improvements with engineering design, composite and non-composite parts and for tool design using CAD/CAM systems."

Lockheed Martin employs an assortment of data exchange standards to achieve these ends. The international standard that Lockheed Martin is focusing on for the long term is known as the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data, or STEP.

Prior to data exchange standards, the process for exchanging data between companies and vendors was considerably slower and more expensive. Custom software for data exchange had to be developed, and data re-entry added to the overall expense of building fighter aircraft.

STEP, on the other hand, captures the complexities of fighter aircraft design, manufacture and support in a digital format that is customized for the fighter aircraft industry. STEP also allows for the exchange of geometric solids information.

"The principal driver behind standardizations like STEP is the increasing emphasis on affordability by the customer, which in turn is driven by reduced defense budgets. Therefore, the entire industry has to strive to become a leaner manufacturer," Jahadi said. "By winning this award, we have received acknowledgment by a respected technical association that we have made significant strides to achieve the affordability goals we set out to do with STEP."

AFEI is an association of corporate and individual members whose common goal is to advance enterprise integration and world-class electronic business practices for industries and governments worldwide. The AFEI annual awards program was established to honor organizations and individuals who have contributed to the development of business process improvement initiatives and to the growth of electronic commerce.

Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems produces the F-16 for the U.S. Air Force and a number of foreign countries and is leading Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter team. The company also produces the F-22's mid-fuselage section, is participating in the development of Korea's KTX-2 trainer and is participating in the production of Japan's F-2 fighter, which incorporates extensive use of advanced materials technologies.