[Avionics Today January 29. 2014] The FAA awarded a $440 million extension through 2017 to Lockheed Martin for continued support of the National Airspace System (NAS) Integration Support Contract (NISC).
Extending the NISC allows the FAA to have quick access to a team of high-level technical, engineering and information technology specialists where it needs to implement or integrate equipment and components related to the modernization of the U.S. air traffic management system, NextGen.
Under the extension, Lockheed will continue providing services and integration planning for equipment and infrastructure improvements for NAS modernization. The aerospace manufacturer was selected to provide NISC support in 2010. The total 10-year contract is worth up to $1.4 billion if the FAA exercises all options.
According to Lockheed, the Air Traffic Management (ATM) software provided under the integration support controls more than 60 percent of the world’s air traffic.
“We’ve brought resources from across Lockheed Martin together with the FAA’s NISC team to help improve the national airspace in a cost-efficient and innovative partnership," said Rick Hieb, vice president of exploration and mission support for Lockheed’s information systems and global solutions division.