Providing comprehensive support to consolidate the U.S. Air Force Space Command's launch ranges is the goal of an alliance that includes InDyne, Lockheed Martin, and URS Corporation.

These companies, which comprise the Consolidated Range Enterprise (CoRE) joint venture, have submitted a proposal for the Launch and Test Range System Integrated Support Contract, or LISC. The multi-billion-dollar LISC program consolidates the Air Force's maintenance and sustainment services of its Eastern and Western launch ranges under a single contract.

"These are exciting times for the Air Force," said General Lance Lord (USAF Retired), President of the CoRE joint venture.

"The LISC contract will achieve a decades-long dream of standardizing Air Force launch operations on the two coasts to achieve significant cost savings through consolidation and efficiencies-all while ensuring Eastern and Western Range mission success.

"CoRE looks forward to working with our Air Force partners to achieve this vision for range transformation while meeting their vital national mission of assured access to space."

LISC merges three separate contracts at the Air Force's two main launch ranges, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fl., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., into a single range support contract to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

These launch and test ranges provide the capability to deploy satellites on expendable launch vehicles, serve as launch facilities for intercontinental ballistic missile and submarine-launched ballistic missile test and verification, and provide range instrumentation for test and evaluation of airborne platforms. LISC will also support return to flight for any future manned launches from the Eastern Range.

"We are proud to be part of the CoRE joint venture and look forward to the opportunity to further our partnership with Air Force Space Command," said C. Donald Bishop, President and CEO of InDyne.

"As the current incumbent providing launch services on the Western Range we have a deep appreciation for our customers' operational needs and what it will take to achieve their vision of improved efficiency and lower operational costs while ensuring total mission success."

"Reducing the cost of range operations takes a knowledgeable team that understands the mission-critical nature of the ranges," said Robert Smith, Vice President of Space and Cyber for Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions.

"Collectively, the combined strengths of CoRE Services offer the depth of experience to provide the Air Force Space Command with a highly reliable solution that increases range availability, reduces sustainment costs and keeps the ranges operational today and in the future."

"Success under LISC requires a partner the Air Force Space Command can trust to focus on the goals and objectives of multiple customers and range users," said John Vollmer, Executive Vice President for URS Federal Services.

"This will require a proactive, balanced approach to daily operations, mission planning, and sustainment of range systems. We've successfully achieved that balance through the creation of the CoRE Joint Venture. I am excited about the CoRE team and the future of the critical capabilities to be provided through the Eastern and Western Ranges."