DERA& Lockheed Martin Ukgs Joint Research For Maritime Defence Capability
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, November 24th, 1999 -- Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems has joined forces with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) to support the development of a Joint Maritime Simulation Facility (JMSF). The new capability, which will be based at the DERA site at Farnborough, will be used to define the requirements and assess the potential of a range of current and future maritime airborne platforms. Lockheed Martin already have considerable experience in this arena, having developed the Lockheed Martin Tactical Development System as part of the Merlin HM Mk1 programme for the Royal Navy. The system, which was developed with their subcontractor GKN Westland Systems Assessment Ltd, of Yeovil, has played a vital role in the Merlin test programme. This expertise will complement the ongoing research programme underway in DERA, which is developing tactical aids and evaluating options for future maritime helicopter and fixed wing weapon systems.
The new JMSF will bring together a range of simulation technologies developed by Lockheed Martin and by DERA, with Government Furnished hardware, to provide a realistic air platform simulator for operational aircrew trials. The system will provide human-machine interface testing, tactics development and assessment of future aircraft requirements to support procurement decisions. The first trials will consider continuing development of the Merlin Helicopter in its wider role in Anti-surface Vessel Operations.
The new Secretary of State for Defence, Geoffrey Hoon, was given a demonstration of the prototype recently when he visited DERA.
Speaking on the JMSF contract, Dain Morritt, the MoD Research Customer, said, "The JMSF has a great deal of enthusiastic support from the Applied Research Programme Customer and he is looking forward to an exciting series of simulation trials once it is completed."
Peter Schultz, President of Lockheed Martin UK GS commented, "The JMSF project is a very exciting new business opportunity for Lockheed Martin and we are all looking forward to working with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to produce a world-class simulation facility."
Christopher Trippick
Lockheed Martin UK Government Systems Ltd
Tel: 02392-564197
Mobile: 07803-393959
E-mail: chris.trippick@lmco.com
Joanna Sale
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Tel: 01252-39-2809/4572/4627
E-mail: jfsale@dera.gov.UK
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