Multi-function Towed Arrays for U.S. Navy
Lockheed Martin received a USD10 million contract to produce and support Multi-Function Towed Arrays (MFTAs) for the U.S. Navy's AN/SQQ-89 Antisubmarine Warfare Combat System. The MFTA is the next generation passive and active sonar receiver configured as a long three inch diameter array that can be towed behind surface ships.
The MFTA provides several enhancements to the legacy AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array System (TACTAS) enabling greater coverage and increased capability and reliability. The MFTA significantly contributes to the capability of surface ships to detect, localise and prosecute undersea threats, and is a critical sensor for the ship's combat systems suite.
The MFTA is the first new surface ship array to be built for the U.S. Navy in 25 years. This array will be integrated with AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 systems installed aboard guided missile destroyers and cruisers. More than fifty U.S. Navy ships are equipped with the AN/SQQ-89 system. The MFTA is also slated for use on DDG-1000 and the Littoral Combat Ship.
For this contract, Lockheed Martin is collaborating with Chesapeake Science Corporation in Millersville (MD, USA).
