[January 08, 2009]

RIT and Lockheed Martin Enhance Sustainable Mobility and Economic Growth

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan 08, 2009 (ASCRIBE NEWS via COMTEX) --
America's
military fleet is on the road to improving performance and
environmental quality due to new technology implemented
through a partnership between Rochester Institute of
Technology and Lockheed Martin Corp. The project is a
component of a $150 million competitive contract with the
U.S. Marine Corp Systems Command, won by Lockheed Martin,
which is equipping 7,000 to 12,000 military vehicles with
new systems monitoring technology that can better assess the
"health" of vehicles in the field.
The work builds on more than a decade of research
conducted by RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing
Studies, a unit of the Golisano Institute for
Sustainability, and the Office of Naval Research. The
program was funded through the efforts and support of the
Rochester area Congressional and US Senate delegations.
"RIT's world-class scientists have developed amazing
technology that will really benefit our military," says
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. "I'm proud to have supported
RIT's efforts, and it's gratifying to once again see their
work move from the laboratory to the field."
The partnership has also led to the creation of a
spin-off company, LIBAN Inc, located in the RIT business
incubator Ventures Creations, which is now seeking to expand
the use of software and hardware applications developed
through the partnership for commercial vehicle fleets.
"This partnership is great news that further demonstrates
how federal investments in our local universities create
local jobs," adds Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. "I am
proud to have helped secure funding for RIT so it could
successfully compete for this work and provide our military
with today's best technology."
The Lockheed Martin/Marine Corps contract will equip
several key vehicle types, including the Amphibious Assault
Vehicle and the Light Armored Vehicle, with embedded
platform logistics systems, or EPLS, a network of sensors
used to monitor vehicle health and alert commanders
regarding necessary maintenance. These systems work
similarly to Onstar and are designed to prevent potential
breakdowns, increase energy efficiency and improve the
safety of troops in the field.

RIT's role in the project involved developing the
essential software and hardware used in the EPLS technology,
and assisting Lockheed Martin in integrating these
components into the overall system.
"Lockheed Martin was impressed with our previous work
with the Office of Naval Research and decided to partner
with RIT to develop their bid proposal for the project,"
notes Nabil Nasr, director of the Golisano Institute and
associate provost at RIT. "Once Lockheed won the contract we
partnered with them to create production versions of several
of our previous hardware and software applications while
also assisting in the development and testing of the EPLS
system as a whole."
LIBAN will continue to provide production support to
Lockheed and the Marine Corps for EPLS software and is
currently working to develop commercial vehicle health
management packages that could be used in a host of vehicle
fleets from buses to heavy-duty trucks. Also, the technology
developed through the project is now being utilized as part
of a partnership between RIT and the Rochester Regional
Genesee Transportation Authority to equip public transit
buses with health monitoring technology.
"This project has allowed RIT to greatly expand the
development of sustainable mobility technology and spin off
a commercial enterprise that will enhance economic
development in the Rochester region," says RIT President
Bill Destler. "This is a perfect example of how partnerships
between government, industry and academia can lead to
significant benefits for all parties and the larger society
as a whole."
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