Lockheed Martin Makes First Delivery Of EGI-MODIFIED A/OA-10 Aircraft In Europe
OWEGO, NY, April 12th, 2000 -- Lockheed Martin Federal Systems recently delivered to the United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) the first A/OA-10 aircraft modified with the Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI), greatly enhancing the aircraft's situational awareness capability. This is the first of 21 A/OA-10 aircraft based at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany to receive the EGI upgrade under a $3.8 million delivery order. The A/OA-10 Prime base contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 1997, has a potential value of $488 million over nine years.
Under Lockheed Martin's direction, Societe Anonyne Belge de Constructions Aeronautiques, or SABCA, a Belgium-based company on subcontract to Lockheed Martin, performed the installation at its facility in Charleroi, Belgium. The modification work started in early February 2000 and was completed ahead of contract schedule. The remaining 20 aircraft will receive the EGI upgrade within the next three years, with the next aircraft scheduled to arrive at SABCA by mid-April.
"We are very pleased to work with the SABCA A-10 team members to enhance the capabilities of the A-10 fleet in Europe," commented Stephen D. Ramsey, vice president, Aerospace Systems.
The most important capability of the upgrade is the addition of the EGI unit and a new Control Display Unit (CDU) to the A/OA-10. The EGI is a self-contained, one-box system that combines data derived from Global Positioning System satellites and onboard inertial navigation data to pinpoint to the pilot the exact location of the A/OA-10 aircraft. When combined with the new CDU, the A/OA-10 pilot has significantly enhanced situational awareness.
The A/OA-10 is an effective, survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and armored vehicles. The aircraft has excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitudes, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.
A leader in providing advanced-technology products, services and systems integration solutions, Lockheed Martin Federal Systems serves defense, civil and commercial customers worldwide. Lockheed Martin Federal Systems employs about 3,800 employees at facilities in Owego, N.Y., Springfield, Va. and Portsmouth, United Kingdom and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Kippen Stalma
(607) 751-2598, e-mail: Kippen.Stalma@lmco.com
Mike Drake
(607) 751-2598, e-mail: Mike.Drake@lmco.com
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