VSD, a Virginia Beach, VA-based subsidiary of QED Systems, received a $23 million contract from prime contractor Swiftships Shipbuilders to provide the Iraqi Navy with training and training systems.
Swiftships Shipbuilders received the prime contract (N61339-09-C-0034) on Oct. 1/09 to provide 35-meter patrol boat training in support of the Iraqi Navy. This followed a Sept 28/09 Swiftships contract to supply the Iraqi Navy with nine 35-meter patrol boats for $181 million.
A VSD-led team will develop and deliver a full mission bridge trainer, a small arms trainer, and a fire fighting trainer, as well as training support. The VSD team includes parent company QED Systems and Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems in Ocean Springs, MS.
Under the contract, VSD will oversee the training of approximately 100 Iraqi sailors in Morgan City, LA, over the next year.
VSD expects more than 15 new full-time jobs will be created by this effort in the Virginia Beach area, and more than 30 new full-time positions overall.
The company will perform the work over next 13 months. The Naval Air Warfare Center’s Training Systems Division manages the contract.