Ahead of the Bell: Marine Conference

From an unmanned robotic helicopter to the cockpit of the V-22 Osprey, the military expo will be a chance for defense contractors including Northrop Grumman Corp., General Dynamics Corp. and the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems PLC to impress upon the service the advantages of their latest programs, as well as get feedback on current systems.

During the expo, defense contractors also will put their unmanned ground vehicles to the test through a robotics obstacle course. The vehicles will have to make their way through a a ramp and tube, water, sand, gravel and speed bumps, and other terrain.

While many systems and pieces of equipment are already being used by the Marines and other U.S. allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, one military program intended to replace thousands of Humvees remains up for grabs.

The Defense Department next month is expected to select at least three of seven competing companies to advance to the next phase of a competition to build U.S. soldiers a lighter, more agile vehicle that can withstand roadside bombs and explosive devices.

Among the companies competing for that deal include Lockheed Martin Corp. and its partner Armor Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of BAE Systems; the team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Oshkosh Truck Corp.; the combination of General Dynamics Corp. and AM General, and others.

Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Base, Quantico are co-sponsors of the conference. The service's veterans organization, the Marine Corps League, is the overall sponsor of the expo.