The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the continuation to January 2011 of its Integrated Deepwater System program which is being implemented by Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS). ICGS, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman , is currently performing in the base term.

"The course has been set for the future and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Coast Guard into the next decade," said Leo Mackay, ICGS president. "Much has been accomplished during the base term. This second award recognizes a successful acquisition strategy, acknowledges this team's sound performance and is a mandate to continue delivering operational capability to the men and women of the Coast Guard. We are very pleased and proud that the Coast Guard has shown its confidence in the ICGS team."

"We are transitioning into the production and delivery phase of the contract," said James Anton, ICGS executive vice president. "More than 15 major Deepwater acquisitions are concurrently underway. We have already deployed enhanced command, control and communications systems to the existing fleet, and are continuing to deliver dramatically improved HH-65C helicopters. We will launch the first National Security Cutter and deliver the first Maritime patrol aircraft for testing this year, with follow on production of both assets already underway."

About Integrated Deepwater System

Deepwater is an annually funded, multi-year recapitalization program to modernize, replace and sustain the Coast Guard's legacy vessels, aircraft and electronic systems using an integrated, whole system approach. It is the largest acquisition effort in the history of the Coast Guard. When complete, the interoperable Deepwater system will include three classes of new cutters and their associated small boats, a new fixed-wing manned aircraft fleet, upgraded helicopters, and both cutter-based and land-based unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). All of these highly capable assets are linked by Command & Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, and are supported by an efficient and progressive integrated logistics system.

About Integrated Coast Guard Systems

ICGS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman . ICGS was awarded the Deepwater program in June 2002. Headquartered in Rosslyn, Va., core leadership teams are located in Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.

SOURCE: Integrated Coast Guard Systems