Lockheed, Boeing in NGATS Partnership

Lockheed Martin and Boeing said they are forming a “strategic alliance” to promote advancement of the future U.S. air transportation system. In a statement Monday, the two companies said they can leverage their expertise in air traffic management to help transform the current air traffic control system, particularly as the system braces for a two- to three-fold increase in air traffic by 2025. The collaboration combines Lockheed Martin's air traffic management experience in en route, oceanic, terminal, and airport surface operations with Boeing's strengths in aircraft systems, avionics, aviation operations, and airspace simulation and modeling. Initially, the two companies will focus on developments in three major areas: networked information sharing; advanced operational concepts, which will expand Lockheed's automation systems trials, and global interoperability, which calls for the companies to collaborate on the FAA's global interoperability initiatives. More