NATS Appoints Lockheed Martin as Systems Integration Partner

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Lockheed Martin has been appointed by NATS to support the UK air traffic management company’s technology transformation programme over the coming years as their systems integration partner.

The programme will enhance NATS’ capabilities to provide efficient and resilient services to their airline and airport customers. It will support the introduction of a more efficient air traffic system that will meet future demand, increase efficiency and improve environmental performance.

As part of a wider NATS programme of investment, the initial contract will see staff work side-by-side with Lockheed Martin to define, integrate and implement a range of technology services that collectively will evolve and update operational services and enable key SESAR concepts, such as free route airspace, in the UK. Lockheed Martin will work alongside a number of other NATS partners, under a collaborative framework that follows BS11000 principles, integrating a whole series of innovative and ground breaking technologies.

James Williamson, Lockheed Martin, Director Transport said, “The programme to deploy SESAR based technologies is one of the most critical components of NATS strategy and for Lockheed Martin to be selected further cements the ongoing relationship between both companies”.

Tim Bullock, NATS Director Supply Chain said, “This is one of the most ambitious programmes NATS has ever undertaken and will transform how we manage air traffic in the UK, enabled by building a robust multi party collaborative supply chain. As such we need trusted partners like Lockheed Martin, with a proven track record of performance and capability, coupled with exemplary collaborative behaviours.”

About Lockheed Martin UK

Lockheed Martin UK, headquartered in London, is the UK-based arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global security and aerospace company. Lockheed Martin UK specialises in the development, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company employs more than 3,000 people in the UK working across 21 sites, on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.

About SESAR

SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) was set up to modernise and harmonise ATM systems through the definition, development and deployment of innovative technological and operational solutions. Established in 2007, the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) is a public-private partnership which pools the knowledge and resources of the entire ATM community in order to define, research, develop and validate SESAR Solutions. Founded by the European Union and Eurocontrol, the SJU currently has 15 members who together with their partners and affiliate associations represent over 80 companies working in Europe and beyond.