Defense Industry Daily July 05, 2009
Up to $41M to Lockheed Martin for Japan Aegis Modernization
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, NJ received a $7 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5144) for Japan Aegis Modernization Lifetime Support efforts for Kongo and Atago class ships under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program (100% for Japan).
Lockheed Martin will provide planning, scheduling, and execution support for Japan Aegis Modernization to support Kongo and Atago class destroyers, which are being outfitted with ballistic missile defense capabilities.
DID has more on Japan’s Kongo and Atago class ships…
The Kongo class is Japan’s 4th generation Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) and has a different appearance and contents from previous Japanse DDG designs, according to Globalsecurity.org. The Kongo is an improved version of the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke class, displacing 9,485 tons (full load). It is a substantial departure for Japan in terms of size and capability in its surface fleet. Japan was the first country (outside the United States) to acquire the Aegis fleet defense system fitted to the Kongo-class destroyers.
At least two improved Kongo-class DDGs were planned by the Japan Defense Agency Maritime Staff Office, with displacement of 7,700 tons standard to 10,000 tons full load, notes Globalsecurity.org. The first of these, the Atago, was commissioned on 15 March 2007. This new class of DDG is equipped with the latest version of Aegis system and has a hangar that is capable of storing 2 helicopters.
Lockheed Martin’s work will include preparing for and responding to price and availability requests, conducting studies, supporting the U.S. Navy in development of a technology control plan to address product protection, computer program modifications, and future cooperative development and interface between U.S. and Japan baselines. This modification includes options which if exercised would increase the cumulative value of the contract by $41 million. Lockheed Martin will perform the work in Moorestown and expects to complete it by March 2010. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC manages the contract.
© Copyright 2009, Defense Industry Daily, LLC
