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Lockheed Martin Minehunting System Completes Successful Testing Milestone

WAIKIKI, HI, October 30th, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin today announced the successful completion of the second Critical Item Test (CIT) required for development and production of the AN/WLD-1(V)1 Remote Minehunting System. During the CIT-2b offshore testing phase completed in early September, the Remote Minehunting Vehicle (RMV) successfully accomplished 147 different tests with more than 85 hours at-sea. The testing phase validated the RMV's new control surface designs and algorithms over a full range of transit and minehunting speeds and maneuvers. It also demonstrated a capability for the RMV to be operated from a shore-based command and control center using line-of-sight radio control, a capability that is desirable for potential coastal surveillance as well as port and harbor security missions.

"Although not part of the test objectives, CIT-2b showed how this reconnaissance system can be operated from shore, not just off a Navy ship," explained Brad Hines, manager, business development for Undersea Systems. "This means that countries that don't have large surface combatants from which to host the AN/WLD-1(V)1 Remote Minehunting System may still be able to operate an RMV from a barge, pier or ship of opportunity, controlled from a portable command and control unit."

Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Undersea Systems (NE&SS-Undersea Systems) is developing AN/WLD-1(V)1 in Syracuse, N.Y., and Riviera Beach, Fla., under a contract awarded in December 1999 by the U.S. Navy. It will provide Arleigh Burke-Class DDG-51 Flight IIA ships with their first-ever mine reconnaissance capability through the use of an unmanned remote vehicle. Key elements of AN/WLD-1(V)1 include a diesel-powered, semi-submersible Remote Minehunting Vehicle (RMV) with a deployable Variable Depth Sensor (VDS), line of sight and over-the-horizon real-time data links, a shipboard launch and recovery subsystem, and a software segment, which integrates AN/WLD-1(V)1 into the ship's AN/SQQ-89(V)15 Undersea Warfare System.

The AN/WLD-1(V)1 currently is undergoing the third phase of CIT, which will focus on deployment, retrieval and towing the variable depth sensor (VDS) from the RMV, and will validate the RMV's speed and performance with the VDS deployed. The data will be used during the Critical Design Review (CDR) later this year.

"The third CIT is the last major at-sea risk mitigation test for the AN/WLD-1(V)1 before CDR," said Robert Manning, program manager. "We'll enter the total system CDR in December and will begin fabrication, assembly and test of the system next year."

Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems -Undersea Systems serves the U.S. Navy with leading mine countermeasure systems, surface vessel and submarine electronic warfare systems, undersea warfare systems and sensors. NE&SS-Undersea Systems is headquartered in Manassas, Va., and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Kerri Donaleski, 315-456-3328; e-mail: kerri.a.donaleski@lmco.com