Lockheed Martin Submarine Surveillance System Passes Critical Navy Milestone
SYRACUSE, NY, October 4th, 2000 -- Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems today announced that its electronic support measures (ESM) system for the Virginia and Los Angeles class submarine fleet has successfully completed a U.S. Navy Operation Evaluation (OPEVAL). Passing this milestone means that the AN/BLQ-10, as the system is called, is considered ready to be deployed by the Navy. "The results are OPERATIONALLY EFFECTIVE and OPERATIONALLY SUITABLE¿The BLQ/10 begins a new era of open architecture, modular, upgradeable ES systems for submarines and the value to the fleet will be tremendous," said Navy Program Manager Capt. David Veatch in a note to colleagues.
RADM J. P. Davis, who is responsible for all Navy submarine programs, wrote to the AN/BLQ-10 team: "Well done to all. The team effort took charge, formed a plan to succeed and marched off and executed. It sounds simple but it is the result of a lot of very hard work by a dedicated group of individuals."
A successful OPEVAL complements the ongoing $32.6 million limited production contract for six AN/BLQ-10 systems awarded to Lockheed Martin at the end of 1999. The contract develops two systems for delivery to the Navy's newest class of submarine, the Virginia class, and four systems to replace existing equipment on the Navy's Los Angeles class submarines. Based on the OPEVAL results, the Navy is currently initiating efforts to adapt the AN/BLQ-10 system for installation on its Seawolf class submarines, as well.
AN/BLQ-10 collects and processes complex radar, communications and navigation low-level emissions from commercial shipping traffic and surface threats. Its ability to provide electromagnetic surveillance on the ocean surface is comparable to the traditional submarine undersea acoustic surveillance mission. This is key to a battlegroup's requirements for a submarine to operate as effectively near the ocean surface as it has traditionally done while deeply submerged.
Production of eight additional units is projected through 2001. Final assembly, integration and testing all will take place in Syracuse.
Ellen Mitchell
315-456-3296
ellen.mitchell@lmco.com
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