Gate to Gate Success: Air Traffic Modernization

Yesterday was an exciting day! I had the great honor of standing side-by-side with U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx, FAA Administrator Huerta and Julio Henriques from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association as the FAA announced that the En Route Automation Modernization System, or ERAM, is now in use at all 20 Air Route Traffic Control Centers in the contiguous United States. ERAM is a new, modern “backbone” to the system that allows air traffic controllers to manage aircraft flying at high altitudes, and replaces a 40-year-old system with modern information technology.

Lockheed Martin is honored to partner with the FAA in delivering the technology that will increase capacity, improve efficiency and enhance the cornerstone of the FAA’s mission – air safety. But the story of ERAM is as much one of safety and capacity as it is one of partnership and collaboration. Modernizing the nation’s air traffic system is hard work; implementing large, complex technologies always is. The complexity is greater when you consider the fact that these technology evolutions need to be seamless to the flying public, who depend on safe and reliable air travel.

I am so proud of Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the FAA on this mission – and I look forward to having ERAM provide benefits to passengers, air traffic controllers, airlines and other users of the aviation system for many years to come!