HONOLULU, May 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Naval Systems command has contracted Lockheed Martin to help the U.S. Marines and others develop technologies to improve response to disasters.
The two-year effort is valued at $1.9 million.
"We are excited to work with the Naval Air Systems Command to improve disaster response capabilities -- so that life-saving assistance can be focused where it is most needed," said Jim Quinn, vice president of C4ISR Systems with Lockheed Martin's IS&GS-Defense.
"We'll leverage our C4ISR expertise to determine how these technologies can be used to improve responsiveness and effectiveness during crisis relief operations."
Using the knowledge it has in information management communications, analysis and dissemination, Lockheed Martin said it will help identify and integrate C4ISR technologies and software applications that can provide networking, collaboration and communications tools to first responders.
The goal is to develop tools that would give responders additional sensors in the affected environment during complex crisis situations through activities such as providing first-hand information, assisting with evacuation plans and directing the distribution of supplies, the company said.
Capabilities developed will be demonstrated during exercises with the 3rd Marine Regiment and during multinational Pacific Endeavor humanitarian workshops sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command.
Lockheed said it will work with a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief collaboration and communications focus group led by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Experimentation Center, the Office of Naval Research and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
Work will be performed at the Lockheed Martin facility adjacent to Honolulu International Airport and at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
