Lockheed Martin Delivers First Next-Generation TB-29A Towed Array to U.S. Navy
SYRACUSE, NY, November 1st, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin today announced the delivery of its first TB-29A thin-line towed array to the U.S. Navy for testing under a $6.4 million development/production contract awarded in April 2000. Towed arrays are sensors attached by tow cables to surface ships and submarines, enabling them to detect acoustic energy. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (NE&SS) in Syracuse is the prime contractor for the TB-29A program. Under the current development/production contract, it will build 10 more TB-29A towed arrays along with its major subcontractor, L-3 Communications.
Lockheed Martin received a $31.7 million order for engineering and manufacturing services for the upgraded sonar in December 1998. The TB-29A costs half as much as its TB-29 predecessor, with the same level of performance.
"We're able to reduce the cost of the towed array sonar by using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology adapted from the telecommunications industry," said Scott Gring, TB-29A program manager. The first TB-29A initially will be towed by a Los Angeles-class submarine but it also will be towed by Seawolf and Virginia-class submarines.
"We produced the first towed array for the Navy 40 years ago and continue to be the world leader in this technology," said Frank DeBritz, president, NE&SS-Undersea Systems. "We have made a significant capital investment in array manufacturing, testing and repair facilities, which will enable us to leverage further array technology enhancements."
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
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