Lockheed Martin nabs $213 million net-centric warfare contract

In a significant step toward enabling network-centric operations throughout the Defense Department, Lockheed Martin Corp. won a 10-year, $213 million contract from the Air Force to upgrade the Strategic Command's Strategic War Planning System.

Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin and Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. had been working on Phase One of the new system, dubbed the Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network (ISPAN).

The first phase called for developing the software architecture that would integrate several legacy analytical applications and allow better collaboration across the network. In this latest phase, Lockheed Martin will deploy the actual system.

"ISPAN will allow Stratcom to collaboratively plan its new, growing missions through an integrated, flexible command and control system," said Leroy Jeter, director of Stratcom programs for Lockheed Martin.

The new network will pull together data from systems and sensors around the globe to provide situational awareness and more effective mission planning. Stratcom commanders will be able to monitor situations and plan responses based on analysis the system performs, such as resource requirements, collateral damage estimates and the probability of success.

Lockheed Martin is already working with Stratcom on another major net-centric initiative, the Integrated Space Command and Control program. ISC2 is a $1.5 billion program to overhaul the command's air defense, space control, space surveillance, missile warning and missile defense systems.

Lockheed Martin ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2004 Top 100 list, based on 2003 prime government IT revenue of $5.5 billion.