Collins Aerospace Secures $64 Million Deal for Advanced Sonar Systems in Naval Warfare
The Naval Surface Warfare Center located in Crane, Indiana, has conferred upon Collins Aerospace Systems, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies (RTX), a seven-year, $64 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement to supply sonar domes for surface combat vessels catering to the U.S. Navy and allied forces.
This arrangement, which extends a prior five-year production agreement, includes freight, installation, engineering assistance, field support, inspection, and maintenance services. Operations will be carried out by the Naval Programs (Engineered Polymer Products) sector of the Aerostructures division at Collins Aerospace.
Sonar domes, situated on the hulls of naval ships, safeguard essential electronics utilized for detection, navigation, and ranging. These domes facilitate the passage of acoustic energy with minimal sound transmission disruption.
The contract encompasses domes constructed from a proprietary advanced composite material innovated by Collins Aerospace, ensuring superior structural and acoustic efficacy for the ship’s sonar apparatus. This enhances the capability for detecting and classifying underwater targets. These composite keel domes supplanted traditional rubber domes on U.S. and allied Navy frigates back in 1997, as they necessitate less maintenance and are anticipated to endure more than 30 years even in the most harsh operational circumstances.
“Our sailors risk their lives daily, and they necessitate the most sophisticated solutions available to ensure their safety. We have devoted over 25 years to perfecting our sonar technologies and materials to achieve that,” stated Marc Duvall, president of Aerostructures at Collins Aerospace. “We take pride in supporting the brave men and women of the Navy and providing the advanced technology they require to explore the depths of the waters they safeguard.”
So far, the Naval Programs division has furnished over 25 composite bow domes for U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines, alongside more than 25 composite keel domes and 360 rubber bow windows for U.S. Navy surface vessels.
