ODIM Spectrum Ltd., a leading undersea sensor handling system provider for naval air and shipboard applications, announced it has been awarded an initial phase $5.1m contract for the design, build, test, and delivery of a pre-production Multi-Function Towed Array Handling and Stowage System (MFTA) for the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 Flight IIA destroyers. Follow-on options include production systems for more than 20 systems valued at about $38m, with production options scheduled to be exercised in 2010. The award is from the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, R.I.
In the initial program phase, ODIM will develop a modernized system to handle the MFTA, and the handling systems are a critical element to the overall AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 ASW Combat System modernization for the DDG-51 Flight IIA’s. The design leverages existing components from the current ship-fit in order to minimize cost and ship modifications, and utilizes new design components to address obsolescence and enhance operational performance and maintainability.