Lockheed Martin Selects Fairchild Imaging to Provide CCD and Electronics for United States Postal Service Advanced Camera System

Business Wire, Jan 22, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2002

Fairchild Imaging today announced that Lockheed Martin Distribution Technologies, Owego, N.Y., selected the Fairchild Imaging CAM 8525 as the core imaging module for the Wide Field of View (WFOV) Camera System. On Dec. 20, 2001, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by the U.S. Postal Service to provide the WFOV Camera System to postal facilities throughout the United States.

The new program will replace the existing optical imaging cameras on the equipment used to sort mail. The WFOV Camera System improves the read rate of the POSTNET bar codes so that fewer items are rejected and more letters can be sorted automatically. In addition, the enhanced system reads two-dimensional Information Based Indicia, including electronic postage generated by web-based or stand-alone computerized applications authorized by the U.S. Postal Service.

Lockheed Martin's WFOV system enhances letter processing by capturing an image of the entire envelope instead of just the bottom four inches, where the bar code on letter mail is typically located. The new system will be installed on Delivery Barcode Sorters (DBCS) and Carrier Sequence Barcode Sorters (CSBCS). These two pieces of equipment are the backbone of postal delivery systems as nearly every piece of letter mail crosses one or both of these machines during a mail-processing cycle.

Lockheed Martin is responsible for the development and deployment of 9,000 WFOV camera systems to U.S. Postal Service facilities. Beginning in the late summer of 2002, the systems will be installed at more than 1,600 locations throughout the United States over a two-year period. Fairchild Imaging will begin deliveries of the CAM 8525, for installation in the WFOV, in late spring.

Fairchild Imaging developed a new CCD and an electronics board for the WFOV program. Fairchild Imaging provided demonstration equipment and support to Lockheed Martin during last year's evaluation of candidate systems by the Postal Service.

"Fairchild Imaging was selected to provide the key CCD and sensor board component of the WFOV because of its demonstrated performance, strong technical support, delivery schedule and competitive pricing," according to Judy Marks, president of Distribution Technologies, the Lockheed Martin business responsible for the WFOV Camera System program.

Lockheed Martin Distribution Technologies, Owego, N.Y., designs, produces and integrates mail automation, material handling, recognition and information processing systems for postal services, package delivery operations, corporate mail centers, and distribution, fulfillment and manufacturing centers worldwide. Distribution Technologies is a business unit of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego, which is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md.

Fairchild Imaging is a manufacturer and developer of electronic imaging components and systems that offers custom solutions in solid-state electronic imaging arrays. Fairchild Imaging technology is found in applications for machine vision, industrial process control, medical and dental radiography, astronomy, reconnaissance, and aerial mapping. Fairchild Imaging is located in Milpitas, Calif. Contact: Bill Walker 408/433-2534.

For information on Fairchild Imaging, visit: www.fairchildimaging.com.