Lockheed taps Siebel for F-35 support system

Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md., plans to use commercial software from San Mateo, Calif.-based Siebel Systems Inc. to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.

Siebel's Service and Analytics solutions will be integrated into the F-35's Autonomic Logistics Information System, company officials said today. The system provides the information infrastructure that the military will use to maintain the F-35 fleet.

"Siebel Service and Siebel Analytics will assist the JSF program in proactively looking at its service needs, predicting weapons systems failures and increasing mission flight time," said Brian Stone, general manager of Siebel Public Sector.

The F-35 is a stealth aircraft designed to replace aging fighters for the Defense Department. The Autonomic Logistics Information System will transmit data to maintenance technicians worldwide over a variety disparate support systems. It will automatically generate reports on the status of an F-35 aircraft's health and any required maintenance, as well as the location of necessary parts.

Siebel Service will handle the process of generating service requests through any electronic channel. Siebel Analytics will provide command and control functions, including asset visibility and measurement of key performance indicators.

According to Siebel, the F-35's logistics system could drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to maintain the aircraft, thereby increasing fleet availability.

With about 5,000 employees, Siebel Systems had 2003 revenue of $1.4 billion.