Ceremony marks first production aircraft delivery of C/KC-135 Global Air Traffic Management upgrade

SAN ANTONIO (July 31, 2003) - Rockwell Collins officials will present the United States Air Force with the first C/KC-135 production aircraft equipped with Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) technology during a ceremony today at Kelly USA in San Antonio.

"We are proud of this initial milestone and look forward to continued success with the C/KC-135 GATM program," said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones. "This milestone is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to meet budget and schedule targets for government projects."

The $55 million Phase 1 low-rate initial production option included delivery and installation of avionics for 50 of the 490 total C/KC-135 tanker/transport aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force has authorized Rockwell Collins to begin the $32 million second phase of low-rate initial production as part of the GATM program. The second phase calls for the building, delivery and installation of 25 additional R-model aircraft ship sets with deliveries beginning in April 2004. If fully executed, the GATM program is worth a potential $600 million.

As the prime avionics systems integrator for the U.S. Air Force C/KC-135 GATM program, Rockwell Collins provides technology that prepares aircraft for changing communication/navigation/surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) requirements as the airspace transitions to Free Flight operation.

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