Lockheed Martin, GSM to upgrade antennas

MARION, Ga., July 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has contracted a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Granite State Manufacturing to upgrade submarine antenna technologies.

U.S. company Lockheed Martin and GSM were selected to upgrade the Multifunction Mast Antenna System on Navy submarines from the current system to the next-generation OE-538/BRC technology.

Under the $6.9 million deal, the Lockheed Martin and GSM joint venture will upgrade submarines to the OE-538/BRC Multifunction Mast Antenna System as part of a Navy initiative to improve submarine communications.

"This upgrade ensures compatibility with new satellites and evolving communication systems to ensure that submarine forces will remain connected to the global information grid," Joe Rappisi, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Marion-based business, said in a statement.