Remote Minehunting System Passes Critical Test

Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems announced the successful completion of the first Critical Item Test (CIT) required for development and fielding of the AN/WLD-1(V)1 Remote Minehunting System. AN/WLD-1(V)1 is being developed by Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Undersea Systems (NE&SS-Undersea Systems) in Syracuse and Riviera Beach, Fla., under a contract awarded in December, 1999 by the U.S. Navy. It will provide Arleigh Burke Class DDG-51 Flight IIA ships with its first-ever offboard mine reconnaissance capability. Key elements of AN/WLD-1(V)1 include a diesel-powered, semi-submersible Remote Minehunting Vehicle (RMV) with a deployable Variable Depth Sensor (VDS), line of sight and over-the-horizon real-time data links and a shipboard launch and recovery subsystem. The 28 days of testing off West Palm Beach, Fla., completed July 12, were aimed at reducing program risk and providing data to support the program's Preliminary Design Review, which took place in October. Test objectives included demonstrating RMV stability and control; demonstrating underway launch and recovery and demonstrating RMV speed and endurance. All of these objectives were met or exceeded during the CIT. Accomplishments during more than 144 hours of at-sea testing included 19 launch and recovery evolutions; stable, controllable flight in excess of 17 knots; and simulated VDS towing. As a result of the successful CIT, the Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a 100 percent incentive fee for the CIT milestone. "We've taken the AN/WLD-1(V)1 prototype to sea and it worked day in and day out," observed Frank DeBritz, president, NE&SS-Undersea Systems. "Finishing the CIT successfully was a crucial step in demonstrating how useful this system will become to battle groups in the future."