EAGAN, Minn., Jan. 15 -- Lockheed Martin and DRS Technologies Inc. announced today they have formed an industry consortium to research and develop a new generation of advanced naval displays. The consortium is specifically between the Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors (MS2) Tactical Systems line of business and DRS's Electronic Systems Group. The companies said they will pursue the US Navy's Naval Display Systems contract, a follow-on to an advanced display systems program contract Lockheed Martin has held since 1994. Proposals are due in March and the contract is expected to be awarded this year. "This consortium brings to the defense industry the expertise of two industry leaders joined in a unique strategic partnership," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin MS2. "We offer a proven path of performance, based on our 10 years of working together to develop and support platforms for the US Navy. We have created new management structures, new research and development processes and new support channels that will allow us to create the most innovative solutions to meet the Navy's future needs." Both companies will participate in the contract pursuit and proposal work as well as marketing activities. Additional vendors may be asked to join the consortium, the companies said. Under the Navy's AN/UYQ-70 contract, Lockheed Martin and DRS provide tactical display and computing systems used on board the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, Virginia and Los Angeles Class attack submarines, AEGIS Surface Combatants, LPD, LPH and LHA amphibious ships and ground mobile units. For more information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com