U.S. Marine Corps modernizes vehicles

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has contracted Maryland-based Lockheed Martin for development of the USMC Embedded Platform Logistics System.

The $144.8 million contract is to enhance operational readiness of several Marine Corps vehicles in the U.S. Department of Defense Marine Corps Logistics Modernization programs.

Included in the maintenance program are the Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the Amphibian Assault Vehicle. Officials say modifications to sensors, on-board computers and displays among other devices necessary to monitor vehicle performance are needed.

In an effort to improve the availability of logistics information and accurate operational status and system health on the vehicles for commanders, Lockheed will also create a database and end-user management applications.

"We are creating logistics solutions that revolutionize the way that Marines plan, fight and win the battle," said Dale P. Bennett, president of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, in a statement. "To do this, we are leveraging technology that provides custom solutions at a lower overall cost."

Lockheed's Enhanced Platform Logistics System used data from individual vehicle sensors to provide failure analysis that enables Marines to deploy the best equipment available at a certain time.

"We are bringing many of the concepts and lessons learned from the Lockheed Martin-developed F-35 Lightning II Autonomic Logistics Information System and the United Kingdom Joint Asset Management Engineering System, with the ultimate goal of extending additional capabilities throughout out the U.S. Marine Corps," said Debra Palmer, vice president of Lockheed Martin Enterprise Logistics Solutions.