Acoustic Rapid Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) is a sonar system upgrade installed on the USA’s entire submarine fleet, including SSN-688 Los Angeles & SSN-688I Improved Los Angeles Class, SSN-21 Seawolf Class, SSN-744 Virginia Class, SSBN-726 Ohio Class nuclear missile boats, and the new SSGN Tactical Trident special ops and strike subs.
This DID Spotlight on ARCI adds a bit more explanation of exactly what the program entails and where its benefits were focused, as well as covers contracts placed under the A-RCI program from FY 2005 onward. The program’s concept is simple: you can upgrade the system without changing the sensors. By sharply upgrading ship sensor processing, it integrates and improves the boat’s towed array, hull array and sphere array sonars, running more advanced algorithms and providing a fuller “picture” of the surrounding environment. Sometimes, it really is all about what you can do with it. A-RCI’s open architecture concept also make it easier to integrate additional sensors, providing a dual-track improvement option for American submarines.
A-RCI: Specifics & Benefits
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The Navy has designed the A-RCI upgrades to provide improved navigation in high-traffic areas and under ice, better detection and avoidance of mines, and better anti-submarine warfare, especially in littoral waters and against quiet, modern diesel submarines. These same improvements can also be applied to other submarine missions, like covert intelligence collection and surveillance, and covert insertion and support of Special Forces. The USA’s SSGN Tactical Trident special operations subs will make especial use of those spinoff capabilities, and the in-production Virginia Class was also built with special operations in mind.
The Acoustic – Rapid Commercial off-the-shelf Insertion (A-RCI) AN/BQQ-10V Sonar System began as “Engineering Change 1000” to the AN/BSY-1 Combat System on SSN-688I improved Los Angeles Class submarines. It didn’t replace the existing AN/BSY-1, AN/BQQ-5, and AN/BQQ-6 sensors – instead, it replaced central processors with modernized COTS personal computer technology and software, installed in an open architecture.
A-RCI processes data from the submarine’s acoustic arrays: the bow spherical array, the hull array, the wide aperture array, the high-frequency arrays, and even the 2 two towed arrays (i.e., the TB-16 or TB-34 “fat line” array, and TB-23 or TB-29 “thin line” array). A-RCI efforts include improved interfaces to the legacy systems; signal processing enhancements; display enhancements; and incorporation of Government Furnished Information (GFI) algorithms.
The process worked so well that the Navy decided it would be useful for its other submarines. The new SSN-21 Seawolf and SSN-744 Virginia Class boats already have improved sensors, but they, too, can benefit from having more computing power available, set in an easier to upgrade architecture.
A-RCI takes place through bi-annual software upgrades (called APBs, in odd years) and hardware upgrades (called Technology Insertions (TIs), in even years). While using the same process and nomenclature, these APBs and TIs have been distinct from those used to upgrade the submarines’ AN/BYG-1 Combat Control System program.
The Open Architecture Advantage
Moore’s Law matters – according to the US Navy, a single A-RCI Multi-Purpose Processor (MPP) has as much computing power as the entire legacy Los Angeles Class (SSN-688/688I) submarine fleet combined, and allows the development and use of complex algorithms that were impossible before. Specific software improvements have included passive ranging, spatial vernier processing, full spectrum processing, dual towed array concurrent processing, low frequency active interference rejection, passive broadband, passive narrowband and passive detection and tracking processing, track management, on-board training, and port/starboard ambiguity resolution.
A-RCI’s open architecture confers other advantages, notably the capacity for faster, more economical, and more frequent hardware and/or software upgrades. The program expanded to provide improvements that could be back-fit into all nuclear attack (SSN) and ballistic missile (SSBN) submarines, totaling over 60 ship sets. The system is now known formally as the AN/BQQ-10 (V) Sonar, and has gone through 4 phases.
Dr. Delores M. Etter, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, has described the A-RCI program as an exemplar of what the US Navy hopes to achieve with its growing focus on Open Architecture approaches. In “A Conversation with Dr. Dolores M. Etter” [PDF], published in Lockheed Martin’s Q4 2006 issue of Insights Magazine, she said that:
“Probably the most successful model has been the submarine community – the ARCI model. Again, affordability drove this success. How were we going to get capabilities across a number of platforms in a way that we could actually afford not only the development of the system, but the execution and the life cycle cost? It used a lot of COTS capabilities, and today we’re seeing it’s a much broader set of functionality. It’s on some surface ships and we’re in the process of developing ways to take those same capabilities, and in many cases with exactly the same software, and put it on our aircraft; the P-3s, for example, which are very important platforms in antisubmarine warfare. That’s a great example of how we can buy it once, but you have to do so smartly and plan it carefully with industry. We now have this capability of taking that common software and putting it on many platforms. That’s a good example, in terms of long term success and also affordability.”
A-RCI Issues
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Right now, A-RCI passive sonar has problems meeting required performance levels against quiet, modern diesel-electric submarines, and issues in some environments, especially the challenging high-density shipping environment. Mine performance is OK in some cases. Precision Underwater Mapping hasn’t been tested properly.
Another major problem involves scheduling, which prevents testing results from the last set of APB/TIs from influencing development of the next set. For instance, the Navy scheduled to complete operational testing of the A-RCI APB-09 system in early FY 2012, much too late to help with A-RCI APB-11. Sometimes, these tight schedules even create problems within a release. A-RCI APB-09 had such big problems with its Wide Aperture Array (WAA) centerpiece that operators chose not to use the WAA in completing their test mission. The Navy developed new software to fix that, but didn’t do any operational testing before issuing it to the fleet.
To make matters worse, some testing has been completely misconceived. The core WAA test referenced above wasn’t even set up properly. The Navy revised A-RCI APB-09 performance requirements re: the time between the A-RCI system transmitted acoustic energy and operator identification of the target. As the subsequent Pentagon DOT&E report explained, this “favors shorter range detections; therefore, a poorly-performing sonar system (shorter range detections) has the potential of scoring better than a long-range detecting system.” Of course, the long-range system is the one that will let the sub see first, shoot first, and stay alive.
Crowded shipping lanes and modern enemy submarines are difficult extrinsic challenges. What’s concerning is the range of intrinsic, systemic faults in a program aimed at the most important system on the most important ships in the US Navy’s future fleet.
A-RCI: FY 2005 – 2014 Contracts
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Unless otherwise specified, A-RCI related contracts or cost-plus incentive-fee/ award-fee modifications are managed by US Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.
Unless otherwise noted, the contractor is Lockheed Martin Corp. Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA, and work be performed in Manassas, VA (44%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); Clearwater, FL (17%); Chantilly, VA (4%); Syracuse, NY (3%); Chelmsford, MA (2%); St. Louis, MO (2%); and Houston, TX (2%). That array of locations appears to have shrunk in recent years, to Manassas, VA and Clearwater, FL.
FY 2013 – 2014
DOT&E report shows a messed-up program.
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Sept 29/14: TI. DRS Laurel Technologies in Johnstown, PA receives a $171.1 million fixed-price-incentive, cost-plus-incentive fee, cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for combat control and sonar Technology Insertion Hardware. The equipment will upgrade systems currently installed on American SSN 688i, SSN-21 Seawolf, SSN-774 Virginia class, and Ohio SSBN/ SSGNs (94.2%), and Australia’s diesel-electric SSK Collins Class (5.8%). It will also provide initial installed systems for SSN Virginia class Block III and future SSBN Ohio Replacement submarines. Funds will be committed as orders are placed. The SSBN-X submarines are very much a future project, but the contract has options that could bring its cumulative value to an estimated $384.3 million.
Work will be performed in Johnstown, PA (92%); Burnsville, MN (7%); and Manassas, VA (1%), and is expected to be complete by September 2019. This contract was competitively procured via FBO.gov, with 3 offers received by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport in Keyport, WA (N00253-14-D-0004).
5 year TI hardware
July 30/14: FY14 Kits. A $10.9 million contract modification for FY 2014 A-RCI development and production will purchase TI-14 Spares for 12 boats, and 1 installation and check out kit for the Virginia Class. When added to the Dec 27/13 award, the total is $95.6 million. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2012-14 US Navy budgets.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%) and Clearwater, FL (40%), and is expected to be complete by December 2018 (N00024-11-C-6294).
Dec 27/13: FY14 Kits. Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, Manassas, VA receives an $84.7 million contract modification for FY 2014 A-RCI production. This modification will purchase TI-14 System Upgrades for 12 boats, including pre-cable kits.
$81.7 million in FY 2012 – 2014 shipbuilding funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%) and Clearwater, FL (40%), and is expected to be complete by September 2018 (N00024-13-C-6272).
Dec 13/13: TI 12-14. A $124.5 million contract modification, to provide A-RCI and common acoustics processing for Technology Insertion 12 – 14.
$20.6 million is committed immediately, and $8.4 will expire on Sept 30/14. A mix of budget lines will be used, from FY 2009 – 2012 shipbuilding, to FY 2013 – 2014 R&D, to FY 2014 general procurement. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%) and Clearwater, FL (40%) and is expected to be complete by December 2014 (N00024-11-C-6294).
Dec 13/13: LCCA. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training in Liverpool, NY receives a $24.5 million fixed-price incentive, firm-fixed-price, and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to produce and support the AN/BQS-25 low-cost conformal arrays (LCCA). The LCCA is a passive planar array mounted on the aft submarine sail structure that is integrated with the A-RCI AN/BQQ-10 system on Improved Los Angeles Class (SSN-688I) fast attack submarines. It’s expected to be particularly helpful for improving situational awareness in high density shipping environments, which describes critical global chokepoints like the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, Straits of Malacca, etc.
$3.8 million in FY 2013 funding is committed immediately, and the contract includes options could bring it to $92.5 million.
Work will be performed in Syracuse, NY (90%), Akron, OH (7%), and Marion, MA (3%), and is expected to be complete by March 2015. This contract was competitively procured via FBO.gov, with 2 offers received (N00024-14-C-6227).
June 7/13: FY13 kits. Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA receives a $29.4 million modification to previously awarded contract, for FY 2013 A-RCI development and production of TI-12 through 14 kits. $28.3 million is committed immediately. When added to the De 10/12 award, it amounts to $150.8 million.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%), and Clearwater, FL (40%), and is expected to be complete by December 2013 (N00024-11-C-6294).
Jan 17/13: DOT&E Testing Report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2012 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The core of their conclusion is that the A-RCI program has a lot of problems. The problem of a schedule that ensures no operational testing before fielding, and prevents learning lessons from the last set before the next development set is mapped out, remain (q.v. Jan 17/12 entry). Unsurprisingly, “Many other systems on the Virginia class submarine exhibited the same failure modes in [Full] OT&E as in [Initial] OT&E.”
Testing focused on A-RCI APB-09, which finished Full Operational Test and Evaluation in FY 2012. Bottom line: performance isn’t an improvement over previous versions. APB-09 had such big problems with its Wide Aperture Array (WAA) centerpiece that operators chose not to use the WAA in completing their mission. The Navy developed new software to fix that, but didn’t do any operational testing before issuing it to the fleet.
Right now, A-RCI passive sonar has problems against newer submarines, and issues in some environments, especially the challenging high-density shipping environment. Mine performance is OK in some cases. Precision Underwater Mapping wasn’t tested properly.
In fact, the core WAA test wasn’t set up properly. The Navy revised A-RCI APB-09 performance requirements re: the time between the A-RCI system displaying acoustic energy and the operator identifying the target. As the report explains, this “favors shorter range detections; therefore, a poorly-performing sonar system (shorter range detections) has the potential of scoring better than a long-range detecting system.” Of course, the long-range system is the one that will let the sub see first, shoot first, and stay alive.
This range of intrinsic, systemic faults detailed here is breathtaking, for a program aimed at the most important system on the most important ships in the US Navy’s future fleet. We don’t often say this, but who’s in charge of this program, anyway?
A-RCI: full of fail
Dec 10/12: FY13 kits. A $121.4 million contract modification exercises FY 2013 options for A-RCI production of TI-12 through 14 kits “for the United States’ submarine fleet and potential foreign military sales.”
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%) and Clearwater, FL (40%), and is expected to be complete by December 2013. $4.5 million will be committed on award, with the rest allocated later (N00024-11-C-6294).
FY 2011 – 2012
DOTE assessment.
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May 21/12: FY12 kits. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2) in Manassas, VA receives a $33.7 million contract modification, to supply ARCI systems and common acoustics processing for TI-12 through 14 “for the United States’ submarine fleet and potential foreign military sales.” This modification will purchase technology insertion system upgrades, including pre-cable kits, for 15 submarines.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (60%), and Clearwater, Fla. (40%), and is expected to complete by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-11-C-6294).
April 26/12: SBIR research. Small business qualifier Progeny Systems Corp. in Manassas, VA receives a $16.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III engineering and technical support services in support “of technology infusion methodology for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) based systems… for submarine and undersea warfare weapon systems.” That research would offer real benefits to a projects like A-RCI, but it also reaches beyond.
A SBIR Phase III contract is designed to produce a ready-to-sell military product. This effort includes software development, procurement of COTS products, and hardware/software integration. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA, and is expected to be completed by April 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $16.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00024-11-C-6296).
Jan 17/12: DOT&E testing. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). DOT&E’s biggest criticism of A-RCI was the way the Navy schedules and deploys it, which prevents testing results from the last set of APB/TIs from influencing development of the next set. For instance, the Navy is scheduled to complete operational testing of the A-RCI APB-09 system in early FY 2012, much too late to help with A-RCI APB-11.
Full testing reports are classified, but the report criticized testing processes for 2 critical areas: Mine Detection and Avoidance, and Anti-Submarine Warfare. Between deviations from test plans and situational issues, DOT&E couldn’t evaluate current ASW or counter-mine capabilities. What they did say, was:
“A-RCI is not effective in supporting operator situational awareness and contact management in areas of high contact density… Given the data available and the limitations of the test, DOT&E concluded that no evidence existed to change the conclusions from its previous reports… A-RCI passive sonar capability is effective against older classes of submarines in most environments, but is not effective in some environments against modern threats… The TI-06 APB-07 system was not operationally suitable, but the TI-08 APB-07 system was operationally suitable [DID: in other words, the new software is only reliable with the new hardware].”
Testing report says program has a structural problem
Dec 21/11: Lockheed Martin MS2 in Manassas, VA receives a $108 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification, exercising options for A-RCI engineering services in 2012. This contract will be incrementally funded, with $2 million obligated at the time of award.
Work will be performed in Clearwater, FL (60%), and Manassas, VA (40%), and is expected to be complete by December 2012 (N00024-11-C-6294).
Dec 9/11: TI 08-10 Lockheed Martin MS2 in Manassas, VA receives a $161.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for design & development of A-RCI program Technology Insertions 8 – 10, covering both the US submarine fleet and foreign military sales.
Work will be performed in Clearwater, FL (60%), and Manassas, VA (40%), and is expected to be complete by December 2012. $3.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00024-10-C-6266).
July 25/11: Lockheed Martin receives a not-to-exceed $15.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee letter contract modification for A-RCI hardware. Work will be performed in Clearwater, FL (70%), and Manassas, VA (30%), and is expected to be complete by January 2014 (N00024-11-C-6294).
March 4/11: Kits. An $11.9 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification, exercising design and support options for 2 SSN-688 Los Angeles Class submarine hardware sets and pre-cable kits. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (90%), and Clearwater, FL (10%), and is expected to be complete by June 2012.
Jan 28/11: Kits. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA receives an $11.3 million option to manufacture ARCI hardware, supplying a System Improvement and Integration Program for the USS Ohio and USS Georgia SSGN special forces platforms; and for the Virginia Class SSN 781 fast attack boat, which will become the USS California around 2013.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (70%) and Clearwater, FL (30%), and is expected to be complete by April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Jan 13/11: TI 12-14. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received an $83.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to design and manufacture hardware for the A-RCI program’s Technology Insertion 12 – 14 for the U.S. submarine fleet, and for foreign military sales. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $2.112 billion.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (95%), and Clearwater, FL (5%), and is expected to be complete by October 2018. $2,024,032 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, On Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with only 1 offer received (N00024-11-C-6294). Lockheed Martin release
Nov 22/10: TI 08-10 Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received $133.2 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to design and support the manufacture of hardware for the A-RCI system improvement and integration program. It funds design and development of A-RCI and common acoustics processing for Technology Insertion 08 through 10 for the United States submarine fleet – and for foreign military sales.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (90%), and Syracuse, NY (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2011. $9,320,850 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-6266).
FY 2009 – 2010
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Aug 26/10: LM MS2 in Manassas, VA receives a $155.1 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to design and support hardware for the A-RCI system improvement and integration program.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (90%), and Syracuse, NY (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2010. $10.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington Navy Yard, DC (N00024-10-C-6266).
April 12/10: TI 08-10. A $58.6 million not-to-exceed, cost-plus-incentive-fee letter contract for the design and manufacture of hardware for the A-RCI system improvement and integration program. The contract provides funding for the development and production of the A-RCI and common acoustics processing for Technology Insertion 08 through Technology Insertion 10 for the submarine fleet and for Foreign Military Sales.
This contract combines purchases for the US Navy (98.2%) and the government of Canada (1.8%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Clearwater, FL (60%), and Manassas, VA (40%), and is expected to be complete by October 2011.
This contract was not competitively procured. Note the new contract number (N00024-10-C-6266).
March 17/10: Support. A $26.6 million modification to previously awarded contract, exercises a cost-plus-incentive fee/ award-fee option for engineering and technical services for the acoustic system improvement and integration in support of the A-RCI program.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA, and is expected to be complete by June 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $1.8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10 (N00024-04-C-6207).
Dec 23/09: Support. A $27.6 million modification exercising an option for engineering and technical services in support of A-RCI’s system improvement and integration program. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA, and is expected to be complete by September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $8.1 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10 (N00024-04-C-6207).
Aug 19/09: Virginia Class. A $25.1 million modification to previously awarded contract for A-RCI Hardware as a long lead time materials order for SSN Virginia class fast attack submarines. Work on this contract will be performed in Manassas, VA (62%) and Clearwater, FL (38%), and is expected to be complete by December 2011 (N00024-04-C-6207).
May 4/09: FY10 Kits. A $39.4 million contract modification for A-RCI insertion hardware consisting of Phase III, IV and V insertions, pre-cable kits, spares, production support, and legacy replacement systems, pre-cable kits, and spares. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (65%) and Clearwater, FL (35%) and is expected to be complete by September 2010.
As of this award, A-RCI has already been successfully integrated into the first 10 ships of the SSN-774 Virginia class, which have now begun a modernization program. A-RCI equipment will also be part of new construction systems for the next 4 ships (N00024-04-C-6207).
April 27/09: LCCA. A $10.9 million modification to a previously awarded contract for Low Cost Conformal Array (LCCA) production units, test equipment, 3D mock-up devices, engineering and technical services, retrofit kits, refurbishments, and spare modules. The LCCA is a passive planar array mounted on the aft submarine sail structure that is integrated with the A-RCI AN/BQQ-10 system. It’s especially helpful in busy maritime environments, where it’s designed to improve sonar sensitivity and reduce the odds of a collision.
Work will be performed in Syracuse, NY (97.5%), Walpole, MA (1%), Forrest Hill, MD (1%), and Millersville, MD (0.5%), and is expected to be complete by June 2013. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington Navy Yard, DC manages this contract (N00024-08-C-6283).
Dec 12/08: R&D and Kits. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received a $38.3 million modification to previously awarded contract for engineering services in support of the Acoustic – Rapid Commercial off The Shelf (A-RCI) program. The 550,000 additional engineering services hours will be used on TacLAN tasking related to Special Operations support, and to complete the new “BSY-2 Wrap Around Antenna (WAA).”
After DID’s request for request for clarification, it turns out that the exact work involved is threefold. The first part involves technology insertion, integration, and modernization of the BSY-2 Wide Aperture Array sonar on USS Jimmy Carter [SSN 23, Seawolf Class]. For USS North Carolina [SSN 777, Virginia Class], they’ll integrate its BSY-2 derived Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (L-WAA) into TI-08, and finish TI-08 generally.
The final item involves the future Virginia Class Block III bow, which has been redesigned to save money beginning with SSN 784. Those submarines will use the Large Aperture Bow (LAB) Array, and there’s a corresponding TI-10 effort underway to integrate the LAB array in time for SSN 784.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (90%) and Syracuse, NY (10%) and is expected to be complete by June 2009. This contract was not competitively procured by US Naval Sea Systems Command (N00024-04-C-6207) .
FY 2007 – 2008
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May 22/08: LCCA. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Liverpool, NY won a $9 million fixed-price-incentive with stepladder pricing (for the production units), cost-plus-fixed-fee (for engineering and technical services, test equipment, production representative unit, 3D mock-ups), firm-fixed-price (for Provisioning Item Orders, retrofit kits, refurbishment, and engineering change proposals) contract for Low Cost Conformal Array Production units (LCCA). Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin’s Syracuse, NY facility (97.5%), in Forrest Hill, MD (1%); and in Millersville, MD (0.5%), and is expected to be complete by June 2013. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with 1 proposal solicited and 2 offers received by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington Navy Yard, DC (N00024-08-C-6283).
LCCA is a passive planar sonar array mounted on the aft submarine sail structure, and integrated with the A-RCI AN/BQQ-10 sonar system on Improved Los Angeles Class (SSN-688I) fast attack submarines. It is expected to be particularly helpful for improving situational awareness in high density shipping environments. Since those kinds of environments describe critical global chokepoints like the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, Straits of Malacca, et. al., it’s an important improvement. See also Sept 23/08 Lockheed Martin release.
Feb 12/07: WLY-1. Progeny Systems Corporation in Manassas, VA received a $5.5 million cost-plus- incentive-fee/ award-fee modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-6219), exercising an option for 47,950 hours of engineering and technical services, material, travel and subsistence, in support of the AN/WLY-1. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA. (90%); Middletown, RI (5%); and Salt Lake City, UT (5%), and is expected to be complete by December 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $576,354 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The AN/WLY-1 Active Intercept and Ranging System is a stand-alone subsystem within A-RCI. It is unique to Virginia Class submarines.
Feb 9/07: Support. A $26.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ award-fee modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207). It exercises options for procurement of 194,989 hours of engineering and technical services and material, travel and subsistence in support of ARCI program improvements.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA and is expected to be complete by December 2007. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington in Washington, DC issued the contract.
Feb 2/07: Kits/ Support. A $29.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, award-fee modification to under previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) exercise an option for procurement of 2 Virginia Class sonar system upgrades, and 4,129 hours of engineering services for ARCI improvements.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (42%); Portsmouth, RI (27%); Oldsmar, FL (18%); Chantilly, VA (4%); Syracuse NY (3%); Chelmsford, MA (2%); St. Louis, MO (2%), and Houston, TX (2%), and is expected to be complete by March 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $7.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Jan 19/07: Kits. A $28.6 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ award modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for production of 7 ARCI sonar system upgrades, associated pre-cable kits, spares, and production support. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (42%); Portsmouth, RI (27%); Oldsmar, FL (18%); Chantilly, VA (4%); Syracuse, NY (3%); Chelmsford, MA (2%); St. Louis, MO (2%); and Houston, TX (2%), and is expected to be completed by October 2008.
Dec 13/06: MPP. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Fairfax, VA received a $10.5 million cost-plus-incentive/ award-fee modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6205) to exercise an option for Multi-Purpose Processors (MPP) and Total Ship Monitoring System (TSMS) kits in support of the A-RCI program. The contractor will produce 7 MPP systems, 9 TSMS systems, and associated spares in support of modernization of nuclear submarines. Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA and is expected to be complete by July 2008.
FY 2006 and Earlier
April 11/06: Support. A $21 million modification for additional engineering services; the contractor will provide engineering services to assist in planning, installation, testing, checkout, assembly, and repair of Navy acoustic products for the upgrade and/or replacement of existing Navy systems (N00024-04-C-6207).
March 29/06: Kits. A $5.2 million modification covers two Virginia Class Shipset #1 and #2 Architecture upgrades for USS Virginia (SSN 774) and USS Texas (SSN 775), respectively. This modification also provides funding for continuation of engineering services for A-RCI (N00024-04-C-6207).
March 9/06: Kits. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Fairfax, VA received a $10.8 million cost-plus incentive-fee/ award-fee modification under previously awarded contract to exercise an option for Multi-Purpose Processors (MPP) and Total Ship Monitoring System (TSMS) kits in support of A-RCI program production. The contractor will produce 10 MPP systems and associated spares, plus 7 TSMS kits. One new MPP and TSMS will be installed in each of 5 SSN attack submarines, and 2 SSGN stealth strike submarines. Another 3 SSBN nuclear missile submarines will receive an MPP each. MPPs process acoustic signals from submarine towed arrays, hull arrays, sphere arrays (in the nose), and TSMS. Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA, and is expected to be complete in August 2007 (N00024-04-C-6205).
Feb 27/06: EWS. A $12 million modification for 11 Non-SSGN and two SSGN Executive Workstations (EWS) respectively under ARCI program. EWS are network connected remote displays installed in commanding officer and executive officer staterooms and wardrooms to support remote displaying of tactical data and data management. EWS are used in combat control upgrades and are installed on most submarine classes. This modification also provides funding for continuation of engineering services for A-RCI. Work will be complete by March 2008 (N00024-04-C-6207).
Feb 27/06: Kits. A $21 million modification will produce seven AN/BQQ-10(V) sonar systems (including related spares and precable kits) for SSBN-726 Ohio Class missile submarines USS Nebraska [SSBN 739] & USS Maine [SSBN 741]; the SSN-688-VLS Los Angeles Class attack sub USS Newport News [SSN 750]; and the SSN-688I Improved Los Angeles Class attack subs USS Scranton [SSN 756], USS Asheville [SSN 758], USS Springfield [SSN 761] and USS Columbia [SSN 771]. Work is expected to be complete by March 2008 (N00024-04-C-6207).
Jan 31/06: Kits. A $28.9 million modification for production of sonar upgrade spares kits and sonar system for SSGN Class Tactical Trident (2 systems) and SSN 774 Virginia Class (1 system and advance orders for another 2), respectively. Lockheed Martin will produce two AN/BQQ-10(V) sonar system spares for SSGN Tactical Trident submarines, plus one full AN/BQQ-10(V)4 system and economic order quantity material for 2 more SSN-774 Virginia Class submarines. Work is expected to be complete by March 2008 (N00024-04-C-6207).
April 21/05: Kits. A $70.5 million cost-plus incentive-fee/award-fee modification to previously awarded contract for A-RCI program production. The contractor will produce 6 AN/BQQ-10V sonar systems; 1 AN/BQQ-10(V)4 sonar system and economic order quantity material for 3 AN/BQQ-10V4 sonar systems; and 6 Executive Workstations (EWS). EWS are used in combat control upgrades and are installed on most submarine classes. Work will be complete by March 2008.
The BQQ-10(V)4 is used on SSN-774 Virginia Class submarines. EWS are network connected remote displays installed in Commanding Officer and Executive Officer staterooms and wardrooms, to support remote displaying of tactical data and data management (N00024-04-C-6207).
Feb 22/05: MPP. Digital System Resources, Inc. in Fairfax, VA received a $10.7 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ award-fee modification under previously awarded contracts for 6 multi-purpose processor (MPP) systems and associated spares. Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA (90%) and Pittsfield, MA (10%), and is expected to be complete by March 2006.
The MPP is a major sonar subsystem under the A-RCI program that enables submarines to process data collected by towed and hull arrays, providing a better overall picture of nearby vessels’ locations and types. It includes hardware and software components, and is deployed in all of America’s submarine classes (N00024-04-C-6205).
Feb 3/08: MPP. Digital System Resources Inc. in Fairfax, VA received a $44.6 million cost-plus incentive-fee/ award-fee modification to previously awarded contract for FY 2005 level-of-effort engineering and technical services in support of the Multi-Purpose Processor (MPP) program. The contract will provide for services and associated materials for the design and development of upgrades, systems support and production of the system.
Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA (70%) and Anaheim Hills, CA (30%), and is expected to be complete by December 2005. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (N00024-04-C-6205).
Jan 14/05: A $61.6 million cost plus incentive fee/ award fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for level-of-effort engineering and technical services and associated materials for the design and development of upgrades, systems support for the A- RCI program. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (82%) and Syracuse, NY (18%), and is expected to be complete by December 20056 (N00024-04-C-6207).
Nov 18/04: Kits. A $31.9 million cost-plus incentive-fee/ award-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for Acoustic-Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) production of 3 AN/BQQ-10 (V) sonar systems and 6 executive workstations. The sonar upgrade kits will be installed in special forces SSGN submarines and SSN-21 Seawolf Class fast attack submarines, and the executive workstations will be installed in SSN 688 Los Angeles Class fast attack submarines, SSGN and SSN-21 submarines (N00024-04-C-6207).
Work is expected to be completed by November 2006. Funds in the amount of $2.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00024-04-C-6207).
Oct 15/04: Virginia Class. A total not-to-exceed $41.8 million cost-plus incentive-fee/ award-fee undefinitized contract action contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for SSN-744 Virginia Class production long lead material under the A-RCI program. Work will include interfaces to the legacy systems; signal processing enhancements; display enhancements; and incorporation of Government Furnished Information (GFI) algorithms.
Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (32%), and Portsmouth, RI (68%), and is expected to be complete by January 2006.