MARION, Mass., April 4 (UPI) -- A second-generation anti-submarine warfare training target is being developed for the U.S. Navy at a Lockheed Martin facility in Massachusetts.
The targets, known as MK39 Expendable Mobile Anti-submarine Warfare Training Targets -- EMATTs -- are used by air and surface crews for unrestricted, open-ocean and on-range anti-submarine warfare training. They are designed to simulate the movements and sounds of diesel submarines and help crews maintain anti-submarine combat skills.
"We've worked with the U.S. 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."
Work on the system will be performed at Lockheed Martin's facility in Marion, Mass., which has developed and produced unmanned underwater vehicles since 1982.
The value of the contract is $5.4 million. Additional contract details weren't disclosed.
