Posted by John Keller

WASHINGTON, 18 March 2010. Sonar systems designers at the Lockheed Martin Corp. Mission Systems and Sensors segment in Manassas, Va., are improving and integrating the Acoustics Rapid COTS Insertion program -- better known as A-RCI -- under terms of a $26.6 million contract modification awarded Wednesday.

The A-RCI program integrates and improves towed array sonar, hull array sonar, sphere array sonar, and other sonar sensor processing on Los Angeles-, Seawolf-, and Virginia-class fast attack submarines, as well as Ohio-class ballistic missile- and cruise-missile submarines.

These submarine sonar system improvements are incorporated via rapid insertion of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software.

Lockheed Martin sonar experts will improve interfaces to the legacy systems; perform signal processing enhancements; display enhancements; and incorporate government-furnished software algorithms.

Lockheed Martin will do the work in Manassas, Va., and should be finished by this June 2010. Awarding the contract were officials of the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington.

For more information contact Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors online at www.lockheedmartin.com/ms2, or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.