US awards $26M for Jordan's new air control system

[November 01, 2012]  AMMAN, Jordan (AP) -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. a $26 million foreign military sales contract to modernize the Jordanian air force's air command, control and communications infrastructure.

Jordan is a key U.S. Arab ally and the advanced technology will help it defend its airspace and ensure air sovereignty. American and British military experts have been helping Jordan boost its military capacity as concerns mount over a possible violent spillover from neighboring Syria's ongoing civil war.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman on Thursday confirmed the development. Lockheed Martin's system is known as Omnyx-tm and the company said it will provide an integrated, real-time air picture across multiple command centers and remote sites to better protect the kingdom's airspace.

Jordanian officials were not available for comment.

[Associated Press]

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