Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $60 million subcontract by Northrop Grumman to design and manufacture Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA) acoustic sensor systems for the fifth and sixth Virginia Class submarines, SSN 778 and 779.

The LWWAA system is a set of large array panels mounted on either side of the submarine that provides major sonar sensor input to the submarine's combat system. Instead of traditional ceramic hydrophone sensors, the LWWAA uses fiber-optic and laser technologies to convert an enemy's acoustic energy in the water into information that can be used to track or shoot.

"Lockheed Martin continued to show cost improvements over the first four LWWAA deliveries for Virginia Class submarines," said Bob Fry, manager, Submarine and Carrier Procurement at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, the contracting agent for submarine builder Electric Boat. "This contract demonstrates sustained performance and provides evidence that Virginia multi- year procurement can achieve real savings for the Navy and the taxpayers."

"The LWWAA program demonstrates the value of teamwork to help the Navy meet its defining moments in the Virginia Class submarine program," said Rick Udicious, vice president of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors' Submarine Programs. "We could not deliver the sustained technical, cost, and schedule successes without the dedication, spirit, and cooperation of our supplier, the Navy, and the prime contractor team."

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors