ROCKVILLE, MD, 01/27/2000 -- Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declared five new air traffic control systems fully operational during the fourth quarter of 1999. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the new system, called the Display System Replacement (DSR), is the cornerstone of the FAA's en route modernization program. The fourth quarter transitions to the new air traffic control system occurred at the Atlanta (10/05/99), Minneapolis (11/15/99), Oakland (11/18/99), Albuquerque (12/10/99) and Boston (12/21/99) FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). In addition to these sites, Memphis Center began full time operations on the new system on January 8, 2000. To date, this brings the total number to 14 ARTCCs using the new DSR system 24-hours-a-day to control air traffic. The remaining six centers are on schedule to complete the transition by May 2000.

In addition to replacing over 3,500 monochrome, circular air traffic controller displays with modern high resolution color displays in new consoles, DSR provides a cost-effective system platform for future enhancements.

Getting the five DSR systems fully operational in the last quarter was a great way to end the year, and having Memphis go operational three weeks early was a great start to the new millennium, said Don Antonucci, president of Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management. All six systems were at least 20 days ahead of schedule, with Boston, almost two months early. As we consider our past accomplishments and look forward to the new year, the DSR program and our commitment to our customers are foremost in our minds. The year 2000 will see the completion of the DSR transition and will present many new challenges for our company as we proceed with the implementation of FAA programs, such as Free Flight Phase 1, future phases of the Host Oceanic Computer System Replacement, and other en route and terminal system enhancement programs. Our strong partnership with the FAA will continue.

A leader in airspace management solutions, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management customers include the FAA and international civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, the People's Republic of China and Argentina. Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management employs approximately 1,100 people at major facilities in Rockville, Maryland, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Eagan, Minnesota, and Southampton, England and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.