CLIFTON, N.J., 28 Oct. 2009. ITT Corp. won a $169.3 million contract from Naval Sea (NAVSEA) Systems Command as part of the AN/SPS-48G Radar Obsolescence, Availability Recovery (ROAR) program. The five-year contract has a base year value of $29 million, plus options for four subsequent annual awards.

ITT's AN/SPS-48E radars were introduced into the U.S. Navy's fleet in the mid-1980s as part of the New Threat Upgrade program, reveals a representative. Two decades later, the ROAR program is a key element of the Navy's plans to extend the service life of selected aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The ROAR program enables the AN/SPS-48G systems aboard these vessels to be in service through at least 2050.

"The ROAR program will lessen total cost of ownership for the AN/SPS-48G by removing the impact of obsolescence and by increasing fleet readiness," continues the representative. "The adoption of an open architecture design facilitates tailoring of the system to evolving and emerging technical capabilities, and provides simple connections to existing infrastructure via industry-standard interfaces."

The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment is intended to provide both reliable operation and affordable cost. Maintenance procedures will be streamlined through enhanced Built-In-Test (BIT), automated maintenance aids, and an improved interface for technician actions.

"ITT is committed to the U.S. Navy and other military branches to maximize taxpayer investment by upgrading and extending the service life of legacy systems," says ITT Electronic Systems president Chris Bernhardt. "Through a seamless progression from development, to low-rate production and then to full-rate production of the AN/SPS-48G radar upgrade program, we look forward to fulfilling our obligation to help protect sailors deployed on dozens of ships worldwide."

Full-rate production systems covered by this announcement will be delivered between 2011 and 2015. The contract will be executed out of ITT Radar Systems–Gilfillan in Van Nuys, Calif.