Brazil Seeks Sub Fleet Combat System Upgrades
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Contracts - Intent, Electronics - General, Lockheed Martin, Submarines, Training & Exercises
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The Marinha do Brazil’s 4 diesel-electric Tupi Class submarines (1,440t U-209/1400 variant) and single 1,550t Tikuna Class (Improved Tupi) boat must suffice to patrol a very large ocean zone, along one of the world’s longest navigable coastlines. The S30 Tupi was commissioned in 1989, the other 3 Tupi class subs were commissioned in 1996-1999, and the Improved Tupi Class, aka. S34 Tikuna, was commissioned into service in 2005. Both submarine classes were designed by HDW.
The Tupi and Tikuna boats are currently listed as being capable of launching indigenous Brazilian torpedoes, as well as the British BAE Stingray. Adding the Mk48 heavyweight torpedo would increase the subs’ attack punch, and upgrading the combat system would also offer an easy path to integration of anti-ship missiles like the Harpoon if the Brazilians wished. In the intervening years, other electronics have also advanced, and keeping the Tupi Class modern requires an upgrade. Hence the recent contract with Lockheed Martin MS2…
Contracts & Key Developments
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Jan 15/08: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received a $35.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for the modernization of the Brazilian Navy’s S30 Tupi Class submarines’ Integrated Combat Systems (ICS) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Lockheed Martin shall adapt, procure, integrate, test, and conduct factory acceptance of the ICS modernization effort, including sonar systems and flank arrays. Per the DSCA announcement, both the Tupi and Tikuna Class submarines will be upgraded.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%); Syracuse, NY (19%); Salt Lake City, UT (15%); Oldsmar, FL (4%); and Baltimore, MD (2%), and work is expected to be completed by June 2011. The Naval Sea Systems Command at Washington Navy Yard, DC issued the contract (N00024-08-C-6271).
Aug 3/07: the US DSCA announced [PDF format] Brazil’s formal request for Integrated Combat Systems for 5 submarines and a shore-based training facility. The system is Lockheed Martin Corporation’s integrated submarine sensor, which includes fire control and weapons control suites. Brazil also requested software and systems integration to interface the Integrated Combat System with MK-48 AT torpedoes, weapon system software, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, training, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $58 million, and the principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin of Manassas, VA.
