Lockheed Martin upgrading command system for all U.S. military aircraft

DENVER, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin is upgrading the battle command system for nearly every aircraft used by the U.S. military, the company announced on Monday.

Every fighter, bomber, helicopter, tanker, unmanned aerial vehicle and cruise missile for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy uses the Air Tasking Order Management System to direct flying operations. The U.S. Air Force has contracted Lockheed Martin to update ATOMS, and replace part of the Theater Battle Management Core System, the "engine of the air operations center."

The Air Force Command and Control Air Operations Suite, Command and Control Information Services will provide next-generation applications to replace the TBMCS. The company is updating 250 air tasking requirements and enhancing net-enabled warfare capabilities, allowing the Air Force to improve management of guided and controlled weapons.

Dr. Rob Smith, vice president of C4ISR Systems for Lockheed Martin, says the replacement plans will fit the needs of the modern pilot.

"Since developing TBMCS in 1995, we've ensured that the system provides the tools needed for coordinated air operations," Dr. Smith said in a statement. "This effort provides the warfighter with additional system to system interoperability to support their continually evolving mission."

TBMCS was made operationally available in U.S. military aircraft in 2000, following its development in 1995.