BMT to Conduct Industry Studies for Navy T-ARC(X) Cable Ship Program

The cable laying and repair ship USNS *Zeus* (T-ARC-7) operated by the Military Sealift Command. *Military Sealift Command / Wikipedia*

ARLINGTON, Va. — BMT has been awarded a prime contract to conduct industry studies for the U.S. Navy’s T-ARC(X) cable ship replacement program, the company said in a March 8 release.

The contract consists of capability and cost trade studies in key areas, investigation of options to maximize affordability and producibility, and development of a concept design. BMT’s partners on this project include Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), ABB Marine & Ports, and Noise Control Engineering.

The industry studies are a key step in the Navy’s recapitalization of its undersea cable installation and repair capability, as the only operational ship, USNS Zeus (T-ARC 7), is nearly 40 years old and needs to be replaced. Additional missions include acoustic, hydrographic, and bathymetric survey; towing projectors; and deploying and recovering unmanned underwater vehicles and other packages through its moonpool.

BMT will develop a T-ARC(X) design that integrates its team’s portfolio of operating cable ship designs with a newly tested hull form. BMT’s approach will apply the successful methodology employed on similar industry studies performed recently. The team also integrates producibility considerations in its approach through its shipbuilding partner, FMG.

“We’re excited to continue our vessel design support to the U.S. Navy. This award demonstrates the strength of BMT as a trusted design partner of choice, the diversity of our vessel portfolio, and our global naval architecture capabilities,” said Rick Cox, vice president in BMT’s U.S. defense business.

The award is the latest in a series of similar U.S. government industry studies contracts awarded to BMT, including the Navy’s T-AGOS(X) and U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter programs. BMT continues to position itself as the leading independent ship design agent in the U.S., capable of working with shipyards of all sizes to deliver projects ranging from small commercial tasks to complex U.S. government shipbuilding programs.