General Dynamics Electric Boat to provide photonics masts for Virginia-class attack subs in $33 million contract

Sept. 18, 2011
GROTON, Conn., 18 Sept. 2011. General Dynamics Electric Boat, the Groton, Conn.-based U.S. Navy submarine manufacturer, won a $32.9 million Navy contract modification for three backup photonics masts for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. The Virginia-class submarine uses photonics masts instead of traditional periscopes. Photonics masts do not penetrate the submarine's hull, and do not extend physically into the vessel's control room. The photonics mast records information digitally with mast-mounted cameras, transmits the data through optical fiber into the boat, and processes the data with on-board image processors.
GROTON, Conn., 18 Sept. 2011. General Dynamics Electric Boat, the Groton, Conn.-based U.S. Navy submarine manufacturer, won a $32.9 million Navy contract modification for three backup photonics masts for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.The Virginia-class submarine uses photonics masts instead of traditional periscopes. Photonics masts do not penetrate the submarine's hull, and do not extend physically into the vessel's control room.The photonics mast records information digitally with mast-mounted cameras, transmits the data through optical fiber into the boat, and processes the data with on-board image processors.

Each photonics mast has an HDTV digital color camera, an infrared camera, and a laser range finder. For more information contact General Dynamics Electric Boat online at www.gdeb.com.

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About the Author

John Keller | Editor

John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.

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