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Navy's Mine Warfare Capability Enhanced Through Lockheed Martin's AMNS Program Successes

SYRACUSE, NY, July 12th, 2000 -- Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Undersea Systems business in Syracuse today announced that its Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) has passed several critical program milestones since April. The program, which brings a new mine warfare capability to the U.S. Navy, has successfully conducted at-sea testing near Panama City, Fla., passed a significant weapons-safety milestone and transferred the first AMNS system to the Navy. All remaining AMNS equipment is scheduled for delivery by mid-July to support the Navy's technical evaluation, which starts later this summer at Panama City. AMNS is a helicopter-deployed program used to reacquire and destroy previously located naval mines using a one-shot expendable remotely operated vehicle. NE&SS-Undersea Systems is delivering two complete AMNS systems and multiple neutralization vehicles under a $10 million fixed-price agreement with the Navy's Airborne Mine Defense Program Office (PMS210). The system initially will be deployed on the Navy's MH-53E SeaDragon helicopter with production starting in 2001. The current program also includes a technology transition study for the adaptation of AMNS to the CH-60S helicopter.

Under the AMNS program, NE&SS-Undersea Systems in Syracuse is the industry team lead, systems integrator and launch and handling subsystem developer. STN ATLAS Electronik of Bremen, Germany provides the neutralization vehicles and the operator control consoles, which are based on its very successful one-shot mine neutralization system, the SEAFOX. The NE&SS-Undersea Systems business in Riviera Beach, Fla., and Technical Systems Integration of Chesapeake, Va., also have key program roles.

"AMNS performed successfully in 20 out of 20 at-sea test runs in challenging shallow water," said Undersea Systems President Frank DeBritz. "The system exceeded the expectations of all members of the Navy and industry team that participated. AMNS and mine reconnaissance products such as the Pathmaker Minehunting Sonar and AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System will be key to reducing the danger of naval mines around the world."

In addition to the production program for the MH-53E, a development program for the adaptation of AMNS to the CH-60S is scheduled to start in 2001. U.S. Navy interest in a surface ship application of AMNS, the original application of the SEAFOX system, also is strong.

Ellen Mitchell
(315) 456-3296