"The US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to update the Air Tasking Order Management System (ATOMS), which allows commanders to deploy air assets, execute air tasking orders and direct joint US air operations through centralized planning," the release said.
The ATOMS system is a comprehensive program that directs flying operations for fighters, bombers, tankers, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and cruise missiles, the release explained.
"ATOMS is replacing part of the Theater Battle Management Core System," it noted.
ATOMS will help provide the automation necessary to plan, direct and control all theater air operations, and to coordinate air activities with ground and maritime elements, according to Lockheed Martin.
Under the contract, "Lockheed Martin will update over 250 air tasking requirements, which will improve interoperability between ATOMS and other management systems, such as legacy Air Force and Army air management systems," the release said.
The upgrades in the new program will allow the US Air Force to better manage remote guided and controlled weapons through the system, the release said.
The release did not disclose the value of the contract.
