First flight enhances U-2 capabilities needed
for the next generation battlespace.
PALMDALE, Calif., Sept. 26,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®
(NYSE: LMT), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, completed the
first flight of the U-2 Dragon Lady's Avionics Tech Refresh (ATR)
program.
The successful first flight tested the new advanced capabilities
aboard the U-2 as part of the ATR contract, including:
- An updated avionics suite (communications, navigation, display,
etc.) that modernizes the U-2's onboard systems to readily accept
and use new technology.
- A new mission computer designed to the U.S. Air Force's open
mission systems (OMS) standard that enables the U-2 to integrate
with systems across air, space, sea, land and cyber domains at
disparate security levels.
- New modern cockpit displays to make pilot tasks easier, while
enhancing presentation of the data the aircraft collects to enable
faster, better-informed decisions.
During this mission the aircraft successfully performed a
low-altitude functional check flight to integrate new avionics,
cabling and software.
"The successful first flight of the U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh is
a significant moment in our journey to rapidly and affordably field
new capabilities," said Sean
Thatcher, U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh program manager at
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "Leveraging the platform's open
architecture, we're expediting these capabilities needed for the
future Joint All-Domain Operations battlespace."
The ATR first flight marks a milestone in the U-2's
modernization efforts and its path to be the first fully
OMS-compliant fleet. Further testing will solidify a mature
software baseline before mission systems are introduced to ensure
both functionality and interoperability to meet operational
needs.
The U-2 ATR contract was awarded by the U.S. Air Force in 2020
and valued at $50 million.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security
and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people
worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services.
Please follow @LMNews on X for the latest announcements and news
across the corporation.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics