SANTA MARIA, CA, May 21st, 2002 -- The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has chosen a Lockheed Martin-led team for a three-year, $16 million contract to conduct a large-scale engineering study of a potential high-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation system in the United States. Maglev vehicles use magnetic forces for lift, lateral guidance and propulsion, allowing the vehicles to hover just above the track, or "guideway," while traveling at speeds of up to 310 miles per hour. Maglev technology is a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly high-speed ground transportation option. It is especially well suited to the rapid movement of passengers in heavily traveled intercity corridors, and is expected to provide relief from traffic congestion and pollution in densely populated areas.

The three-phase study will focus on assessing four potential maglev corridors in Southern California for benefits to the traveling public, estimated cost, environmental impact, and other criteria. Phase I, funded at $1.4 million, will analyze the four SCAG-identified corridors to determine which segments of those corridors would be best suited to serve as the starting point for a large-scale maglev system. In Phase II, the Lockheed Martin team will join a SCAG-appointed contractor to conduct preliminary engineering design and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the chosen Phase I corridor segment. Phase II will also examine such details as where the guideway will run and where stations will be placed. Phase III will prepare an investment-grade quality financial plan that SCAG and the Lockheed Martin team will use to secure private funding for a full-scale maglev project.

"With this contract, SCAG has taken an important step towards a fully-realized maglev system in Southern California," said Terry Drabant, president of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems. "They've recognized the importance of not only beginning this public-private partnership early, but also of teaming with a systems integrator like Lockheed Martin who can help manage risk and control costs while building a complex, high-technology ground transportation system."

SCAG is a joint powers authority comprised of 165 cities and six counties with a combined population of 17 million residents.

The Lockheed Martin team includes Transrapid International-USA (TRI) and the IBI Group. As the recognized industry-leader in maglev technology, TRI's Transrapid maglev system has been named the technology of choice by six other U.S. jurisdictions considering maglev systems. The IBI Group, a leader in transportation planning and engineering, brings significant experience on proven, successful projects in Southern California, including studies of maglev utility in connecting regional airports.

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems provides solutions in systems integration, program management, software development, and information security for a variety of customers including U.S. and international defense and civil government agencies. Mission Systems employs approximately 2,600 at primary facilities in Gaithersburg, Colorado Springs, Colo., Santa Maria, Calif., and is a business unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.