Lockheed Martin Unveils ADS-B Team

Lockheed Martin at the Air Traffic Control Association Convention on Monday announced its bidding team for the FAA’s nationwide automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) program. The team includes ground station manufacturers Sensis and Rannoch, and avionics integrator Honeywell and secure network communications specialist Harris. The FAA plans to award a “performance-based” contract next July, under which the winner will fund, build and operate some 500 ground stations, with the FAA certifying them and then purchasing their signals in space. Adding strength to Lockheed Martin’s bid was Rannoch’s announcement on Monday that it had acquired Czech company ERA, the major European ADS-B manufacturer. Sources told AIN that Raytheon and, separately, ITT plus Thales would shortly announce their bidding intentions. There was also speculation about Northrop Grumman interest in the reportedly $2 billion ADS-B contract.