Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $46 million contract by F-22 prime contractor Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to integrate the air dominance fighter into the U.S. Air Force Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) training network.

The contract allows for the design and test of new software and systems for the F-22 Full Mission Trainer (FMT) that will enable Raptor pilots to train with other aircrews flying different simulated aircraft at locations throughout the world. For example, Raptor pilots on the East Coast will be able to train with AWACS crews in the Midwest and F-15 pilots in Europe in a joint synthetic battlespace made up of live, virtual and constructive elements.

"When the Raptor is in the fight, all composite force aircraft perform more effectively," said Pam Valdez, director of F-22 Sustainment. "By the same token, inserting the Raptor into the DMO network will act as a training force multiplier for the entire Air Force, helping it achieve its transformational goal of 'train as you fight.'"

The Boeing team will incorporate the enhanced FMTs into an F-22 Mission Training Center (MTC) that is scheduled to begin operations in 2009. Boeing has delivered and currently operates five F-15C MTCs around the globe and has the lead on F-15E and F-16 MTC contracts. The company also delivers DMO-capable systems for the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Finnish Air Force and is building DMO components for Apache Longbow aircrew trainers for the United Kingdom.

The F-22 is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, using parts and subsystems provided by approximately 1,000 suppliers in 44 states. Boeing's Seattle-based team provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration and software, pilot and maintenance training programs and a third of the sustainment. Final assembly and initial flight-testing take place at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga., facility, which recently delivered Raptor no. 103 to the Air Force.