WEST WAREHAM, Mass. — EdgeTech, the leader in high-resolution sonar imaging systems and underwater technology, is honored to learn that its industry-leading side scan sonar technology was used to help find the missing Argentine submarine, ARA San Juan, the company said in a Nov. 19 release.

The deep-water search was performed by Ocean Infinity and its advanced fleet of 6,000-meter-rated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) equipped with EdgeTech 2205 side scan sonars. EdgeTech’s unique tri-frequency side scan sonar frequency combination of 75/230/410 kHz enables the host AUV to perform long-range searches in deep water, with the middle and higher frequency providing added resolution for better target identification.

The ARA San Juan was imaged by the EdgeTech sonar operating at a frequency of 230 kHz and a 400-meter range scale. The submarine, which had been missing for one year, was discovered in more than 900 meters of water.

EdgeTech side-scan sonar systems provide operators the ability to image large areas of the sea floor during important deep-water searches when the whereabouts of sunken objects are largely unknown. EdgeTech takes great pride in knowing its high quality reliable underwater acoustic imaging systems continue to assist in these demanding endeavors.

WASHINGTON — The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of eight Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B Missiles and 13 SM-3 Block 2A Missiles for an estimated cost of $561 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a Nov. 19 release.

\The DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Nov. 16.

Also included in the proposed sale are SM-3 1B and 2A missile canisters, U.S. government and contractor provided technical assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The proposed sale will provide Japan with an increased ballistic missile defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional munitions and support into the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, the release said.

The principal contractor for the SM-3 Block 1B and 2A all-up rounds will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. The prime contractor for the Mk-21 and Mk-29 canisters and packing, handling, shipping and transportation kits will be BAE Systems, Minneapolis.

ANDOVER, Mass. — Mercury Systems Inc. has received a $6.7 million follow-on order from a leading defense prime contractor for custom-engineered, high-performance subsystems with integrated radio frequency (RF) and digital microelectronics for a naval electronic warfare (EW) application, the company announced in a Nov. 20 release. The order was booked in the company’s fiscal 2019 first quarter and is expected to be shipped over the next several quarters.

Mercury Systems is a leader in the development and commercialization of EW solutions optimized for ground, sea, and airborne applications. Engineered to reliably operate in the harshest of environmental conditions, Mercury’s EW solutions densely integrate both analog and digital technologies using open architecture standards to reduce the risk of schedule of cost overruns while providing an affordable path for upgradeability in the future.

“Receiving this order from our valued customer exemplifies Mercury’s market-leading position in the design and manufacturing of affordable microelectronics solutions spanning the RF and digital domains,” said Neal Austin, vice president and general manager of Mercury’s Embedded Sensor Processing group. “We are fully committed to supporting the U.S. warfighter with commercial innovations delivering critical electronic warfare information required to make timely and accurate operational decisions.”

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Rite-Solutions recently was awarded a $49.6 million contract to support the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s (NUWC’s) Activity Chief Information Officer (ACIO)/Information Technology (IT) division, which is responsible for strategic planning, operations, maintenance, and compliance of the center’s IT systems and infrastructure, the company said in a Nov. 19 release.

“We are thrilled that NUWC chose to renew the contract with us,” says Rocky Reeves, Rite-Solutions vice president and director of IT services.

The company will provide IT services in several areas including software engineering, client support services/help desk, Navy Marine Corps Intranet support, IT governance and application portfolio management support, and more.

“Cybersecurity touches every one of these areas,” Reeves said. Over one-half of the personnel supporting this contract must meet the Navy’s strict Cyber Information Technology/Cybersecurity Workforce requirements.

“This was a major reason Rite-Solutions won the contract. Many of our employees have degrees in cybersecurity or computer science as well as security and operating system certifications,” added Reeves.

Rite-Solutions will support NUWC headquarters in Newport, Rhode Island, as well as NUWC locations in Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, and the Bahamas.

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Teledyne Microwave Solutions (TMS), a business unit of the Teledyne Defense Electronics Group and its parent company, Teledyne Technologies, has been awarded a $7.5 million sole-source contract from the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, the company said in a Nov. 15 release.

The contract is for the repair of Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs) used on the ALQ-99 system in support of the EA-18G Growler aircraft. Teledyne, a long-time world leader in the design and production of advanced TWTs, has supported the ALQ-99 system and its associated aircraft since the 1970’s. Teledyne’s engineering innovations in TWT technology continue to be deployed today to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Navy and other military purposes.

Execution of this firm-fixed-price contract award will be performed at Teledyne’s 160,000-square-foot production facility in Rancho Cordova, California. TMS is expected to complete the contract work by November 2021.

TMS manufactures a broad range of TWT technologies and applications for use in diverse markets. Teledyne TWTs are found on nearly all major electronic warfare, radar, and communication platforms of the U.S. and its allies throughout the world. Our various product lines also include TWTs used for instrumentation, satellite communications, and other mission critical applications.

FAIRFAX, Va. — General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) will deliver commercial cloud services for the U.S. Navy to accelerate cloud adoption. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) awarded CSRA LLC, a managed affiliate of GDIT, a $22.4 million blanket purchase agreement (BPA), the company said in a Nov. 19 release.

The award includes a one-year base period with four one-year options that, if exercised, would bring the estimated cumulative value to $96 million.

“GDIT will continue supporting PEO EIS as it executes the Navy’s ‘Cloud First’ strategy of increasing data reliability and cost-effectiveness, while maintaining a robust security profile,” said Leigh Palmer, senior vice president and head of GDIT’s Defense Division. “Through this award, the Navy will gain access to premium commercial cloud services through GDIT’s strategic relationships with Microsoft and Amazon. Our secure, scalable and containerized environment will enable the Navy to store its data securely, reap significant savings and gain impressive resources to accomplish their mission.”

GDIT will deliver commercial cloud services to the Navy through the General Services Administration’s Schedule 70, which includes Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Both companies are Strategic Alliance Partners with GDIT.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Sioux City (LCS 11) — the nation’s sixth Freedom-variant littoral combat ship — at the U.S. Naval Academy Nov. 17, Lockheed Martin said in a release.

“We are confident that LCS 11 will be what the Navy needs, when the fleet needs it,” said Joe DePietro, vice president, Small Combatants and Ship Systems, Lockheed Martin. “We remain focused on delivering these ships as quickly as possible with increasing capability and lethality. These ships will have a long lifespan, and we’re working with the Navy to make LCS even stronger and more resilient.”

The Freedom-variant LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals. LCS 11 is equipped to support surface warfare.

LCS continues to increase in capability. This year, LCS 5 and 7 completed Longbow Hellfire missile testing, LCS 9 completed Rolling Airframe Missile testing and LCS 5 and 9 participated in Fleet Weeks around the United States.

The Freedom-variant LCS is designed to integrate modular weapons, as well as manned and unmanned vehicles to deliver critical warfighting capability to the fleet in mine counter measures, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

“LCS is our most effective fleet asset to counter asymmetric small craft threats,” said Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations. “This ship and the ships like her are going to complicate any adversary’s operating picture. You’re going to need to keep track of Sioux City when she’s at sea, because if you don’t, she’s going to make you pay for that.”

There are seven ships in various stages of production and test at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, where the Freedom-variant LCS is built. The next Freedom-variant in the class is LCS 13, the future USS Wichita, slated for commissioning in Mayport, Florida, in January. LCS 19 is scheduled for christening on Dec. 15.

“Two thousand men and women crafted this ship from flat steel to the capable and agile surface combatant being commissioned. The men and women who sail this ship have an enormous responsibility in protecting our nation and allies, and we consider it a privilege to support these missions,” said Jan Allman, president and CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine. “I am confident that when called upon, the USS Sioux City will always prevail.”

BOSTON — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returned to its homeport of Boston Nov.12 after an 80-day patrol in the Eastern Pacific interdicting drugs, rescuing sea turtles and saving a mariner off the coast of North Carolina, the 1st Coast Guard District said in a release.

During the deployment in the Eastern Pacific, Spencer’s crew interdicted a smuggling vessel with 4,497 pounds of cocaine on board, an estimated street value of $65 million.

The crew also rescued two sea turtles entangled in fishing nets, including a Hawksbill sea turtle.

On the return home from their deployment, the crew diverted to assist in a search-and-rescue case off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The crew rendezvoused with the crew of the 48-foot sailboat, Marie Elena, launched their small boat crew and transported the distressed 57-year-old crew member aboard the cutter.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, hoisted the crew member from the Spencer and transported him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

Spencer’s crew also participated in hurricane recovery efforts during Hurricane Florence.

“The crew of the Spencer is looking forward to spending the holiday season with family and friends after a successful and eventful 80-day patrol,” said Cmdr. John McTamney, commanding officer of Spencer.

Spencer is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter with a crew complement of 100.

MOBILE, Ala. — Austal USA delivered the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (EPF 10) to the U.S. Navy during a ceremony onboard the ship at the company’s headquarters Nov. 15, the company said in a release. This is the fourth ship Austal has delivered to the Navy this year.

The EPF program provides the Navy with a high-speed intra-theater transport capability. The 338-foot long Burlington is an aluminum catamaran capable of transporting 600 tons, 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, too shallow and narrow for the larger ships in the surface fleet, providing added flexibility to U.S. warfighters worldwide. The ship’s flight deck can also support flight operations for a wide variety of manned and unmanned aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion.

“Today’s delivery of Burlington marks the 10th EPF we have delivered to the U.S. Navy, a milestone achieved as a result of the dedicated shipbuilding team made up of Austal employees, our Navy partners, industry suppliers and both local and state community and legislative support,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “These ships continue to deliver exceptional capability around the globe. The U.S. Navy is taking these great ships and expanding their work to support a variety of operational needs, demonstrating their significance, flexibility and value to the future 355-ship Navy.”

Upon delivery of USNS Burlington, two additional Spearhead-class EPFs are under construction at Austal’s Mobile shipyard. Puerto Rico (EPF 11) was launched this week and will now prepare for sea trials and Newport (EPF 12) is being erected in final assembly. Austal also recently received instruction from the Navy to order long lead-time materials for EPF 13.MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded approximately 18.5 tons of cocaine Nov. 15 in Port Everglades worth more than an estimated $500 million wholesale seized in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the 7th Coast Guard District said in a release.

The drugs were interdicted off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by multiple U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

The offload represents 15 separate, suspected drug-smuggling vessel interdictions by the Coast Guard:

■ James was responsible for nine cases seizing an estimated 19,288 pounds of cocaine.
■ Bear was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 44 pounds of cocaine.
■ Stratton was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 440 pounds of cocaine.
■ Active was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 3,148 pounds of cocaine.
■ Dauntless was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 2,050 pounds of cocaine.
■ Venturous was responsible for two cases seizing an estimated 3,100 pounds of cocaine.
■ Spencer was responsible for one case seizing an estimated 4,497 pounds of cocaine.
■ Campbell was responsible for one case seizing an estimated 5,441 pounds of cocaine.

Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security are involved in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys in California, on the East Coast and in Puerto Rico.

Bear is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. Stratton is a 418-foot Legend-class cutter homeported in Alameda, California. Active is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in Port Angeles, Washington. Dauntless is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in Pensacola, Florida. Venturous is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. James is a 418-foot Legend-class cutter homeported in North Charleston, South Carolina. Spencer is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Boston. Campbell is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Kittery, Maine.

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James offloaded approximately 18.5 tons of cocaine Nov. 15 in Port Everglades worth more than an estimated $500 million wholesale seized in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the 7th Coast Guard District said in a release.

The drugs were interdicted off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by multiple U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

The offload represents 15 separate, suspected drug-smuggling vessel interdictions by the Coast Guard:

■ James was responsible for nine cases seizing an estimated 19,288 pounds of cocaine.
■ Bear was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 44 pounds of cocaine.
■ Stratton was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 440 pounds of cocaine.
■ Active was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 3,148 pounds of cocaine.
■ Dauntless was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 2,050 pounds of cocaine.
■ Venturous was responsible for two cases seizing an estimated 3,100 pounds of cocaine.
■ Spencer was responsible for one case seizing an estimated 4,497 pounds of cocaine.
■ Campbell was responsible for one case seizing an estimated 5,441 pounds of cocaine.

Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security are involved in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against transnational organized crime networks in the Eastern Pacific requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to prosecutions by U.S. Attorneys in California, on the East Coast and in Puerto Rico.

Bear is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. Stratton is a 418-foot Legend-class cutter homeported in Alameda, California. Active is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in Port Angeles, Washington. Dauntless is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in Pensacola, Florida. Venturous is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. James is a 418-foot Legend-class cutter homeported in North Charleston, South Carolina. Spencer is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Boston. Campbell is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Kittery, Maine.