Manassas, VA, 21-JUN-00 -- A team led by Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $34 million contract to lead the Illinois Department of Transportation Positive Train Control (PTC) Project. The Illinois PTC project is part of a nationwide initiative to improve schedule reliability, increase track capacity, enhance safety and to provide the capability for high-speed passenger train service throughout the United States. Positive Train Control is a joint initiative of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The PTC system involves the application of advanced technologies - including digital data communications, accurate positioning systems, wayside interface units, on-board and control center computers, and other advanced display, sensor, and control technologies - to help manage and control railroad operations.

The team selected to implement PTC in Illinois includes railroad industry leaders Wabtec Railway Electronics, Union Switch and Signal, Inc., and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration is leading the team through its Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems businesses at Mitchel Field, NY, and Manassas, VA. Lockheed Martin's experience in complex systems integration, combined with our teammates' extensive knowledge of the railroad industry will enable us to provide an economical and effective train control system.

Lockheed Martin's knowledge of sophisticated command, control, computer and communications systems, coupled with open system architecture design and the use of commercial off-the-shelf technology, will enable the team to contribute to the success of high-speed rail development in the United States. The open systems architecture approach will permit the Illinois Department of Transportation to refresh the PTC system with newer technologies as they become available, extending the system's life.

This flexible design, developed by the Lockheed Martin team, will also allow the PTC approach to be used by the railroad as they choose to participate in this initiative.

Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems is a leader in developing and integrating complex systems for domestic and international military, civil government and commercial customers.