Lockheed to help with virtual training

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force's center for virtual training and experimentation will receive technical support from Lockheed Martin under an ID/IQ contract.

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity award is for five years and has a total value of $94 million.

Under the contract, Lockheed and its partners will help the Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., link the virtual training assets of the U.S. military and coalition partner, as well as aid in developing procedures for tactical and operational training events.

Work will be performed in collaboration with the center's 705th Combat Training Squadron.

"Distributed exercises that allow warfighters to practice together and test software real time are becoming increasingly important as missions become more integrated across platforms, services and partner nations," said Lt. Col. Doug Horne, 705th Combat Training Squadron commander. "Linking assets and transporting relevant, accurate and timely simulation data is a key element for operating in today's environment."

Added Jim Weitzel, vice president of training and engineering services at Lockheed Martin's Global Training and Logistics business: ´"Integrating live, virtual and constructive elements, the Distributed Mission Operations Center serves as the nucleus for advancing cost-effective training and operational testing.

"Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force on this program to keep warfighters at locations around the globe mission ready."