WASHINGTON, 29 June 2005. U.S. Navy officials are ordering an additional three AN/SLQ-25A torpedo countermeasure system transmitting sets and upgrade kits from manufacturer Argon ST in Smithfield, Pa.

Argon ST will do the work under terms of a $20.5 million contract modification awarded July 28 from Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington. The contract number is N00024-98-C-6111.

The AN/SLQ-25A is a digitally controlled, modular electro-acoustic softkill countermeasure decoy system that defends ships against wake-homing torpedoes, acoustic homing torpedoes, and wire-guided torpedoes.

Work will be in Smithfield, Pa., and will be finished by March 2007.

The Torpedo Countermeasures Transmitting Set AN/SLQ-25A, also called Nixie, is a passive, electro-acoustic decoy system that uses an underwater acoustic projector towed behind surface ships on a coaxial cable. The system transforms a ship-generated signal into an acoustic signal to fool enemy torpedoes away from the ship.

The acoustic projector can make a louder noise than the ship, and so diverts the incoming torpedo from the ship to the decoy. The towed device receives the torpedoes ping frequency, amplifies it two to three times, and sends it back to lure the torpedo away from the ship.

For more information contact Argon online at www.argonst.com.