Navy orders gear for counter-mine sweeps

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JOHNSTOWN, Pa., May 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has contracted Enterprise Ventures Corp. to produce systems that enhance the deployment of mine counter-measures by MH-60S helicopters.

The contract for the carriage, stream, tow and recovery system is worth $12.5 million. The performance period of the award was not given but EVC said the contract includes an option that if exercised would bring the award's total value to more than $31.9 million.

EVC, a subsidiary of Concurrent Technologies Corp., said the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Panama City Division issued the contract.

"CSTRS will enable the U.S. Navy's new littoral combat ships to readily respond to mine threats, providing an extra measure of safety for crew and ships," said Edward J. Sheehan Jr., CTC's president and chief executive officer. "In addition, the CSTRS design is modular and is capable of supporting the deployment requirement of multiple mine sensors that provide a range of mine counter-measures objectives."

The CSTRS provides the multi-mission MH-60S helicopter with greater minesweeping capability by "making Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures Systems deployable from fleet assets in dangerous waters," the company said. Additional details were not disclosed.