Eastern Automated Flight Service Station Hub to Open in Loudoun County

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Lockheed Martin Corporation will invest $7 million to open the Eastern Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) hub in Loudoun County. The project will create 200 new jobs over 30 months. This project marks the first time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has outsourced a major system operation. The facility will employ flight service specialists to brief pilots on flight plans and weather conditions. The hub will cover the geographic region east of the Mississippi River. Virginia successfully competed against Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Texas and Washington for the project. 

“Lockheed Martin is a major Virginia employer that continues to grow,” said Governor Warner. “Loudoun County was able to provide the company with an existing facility that met its needs for the Eastern AFSS hub. We are proud to add 200 new jobs to Virginia’s economy and I congratulate Lockheed Martin on yet another success.”

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

“Lockheed Martin selected the Northern Virginia location because of its proximity to FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., the critical airspace covered by the Flight Service Station, the density of pilots and general aviation aircraft, and the quality of life provided within the Dulles Airport corridor,” said Dan Courain, Lockheed Martin vice-president for Flight Services.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.

"We are very pleased that Lockheed Martin has chosen Loudoun County for the home of the Automated Flight Service Station," said Scott K. York, Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. "Loudoun is a wonderful place for companies to locate and prosper. We look forward to working with Lockheed Martin to ensure that this will be a successful venture for them."