Lockheed to build logistics system for Marines

Lockheed Martin Corp. will help develop a system for the Marine Corps that will enable it to monitor vehicle performance and improve logistics support under a new $144.8 million contract.

The Corps' Embedded Platform Logistics System is designed for the service's light armored vehicles, medium tactical vehicle replacements and the amphibian assault vehicles. The purpose of the system is to enhance readiness for maintenance efforts.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will modify sensors, on-board computers, displays and devices as necessary to enable the system. The contract also calls for the creation of databases and end-user management applications to improve the availability of logistics information available to commanders as well as operational status and system health reporting.

Using data captured from individual vehicle sensors, the logistics system will provide for predictive data and failure analysis, allowing Marines to deploy the best equipment available to accomplish a mission.

Debra Palmer, vice president of Lockheed Martin Enterprise Logistics Solutions, said the company plans to apply many of the concepts and lessons learned from its work on the F-35 Lightning II Autonomic Logistics Information System and the United Kingdom's Joint Asset Management Engineering System to bear on the Marine Corps logistics project.

Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Md., ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.