Lockheed Martin is to design and deliver an upgraded anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training target under a $5.4 million contract from the US Navy.
Known as EMATTs (short for MK39 Expendable Mobile Anti-submarine Warfare Training Targets) the targets are used by air and surface crews for unrestricted, open-ocean and on-range anti-submarine warfare training.
Designed to simulate the movements and sounds of diesel submarines, EMATTs help crews maintain their anti-submarine combat skills.
"We've worked with the US and allied navies to provide a more affordable, flexible and proven solution to support their training missions," said Mike Gifford, Lockheed Martin's senior program manager for underwater vehicles.
"Our upgraded EMATT variant will provide the Navy with programmable acoustics, improved representation of enemy submarines and acoustic command links that are useable day or night in any sea state."
The work will be performed at Lockheed Martin's facility in Marion, Massachusetts. The same facility has developed and produced unmanned underwater vehicles since 1982 when the Navy awarded the company the first EMATT development contract.
