BAE SYSTEMS SECURES UK MOD CONTRACT TO SUPPLY VERSATILE EXERCISE MINE SYSTEMS TO ROYAL NAVY

BAE SYSTEMS Underwater Systems have secured a contract worth approximately £1.2 million with the UK MoD to supply the Royal Navy with 11 Versatile Exercise Mine Systems (VEMS).

VEMS is a market-leading training and assessment tool for mine counter measures. It is designed to simulate the fire-control mechanisms of known and perceived threat mines, giving confidence to the Mine Counter Measures (MCM) forces to operate effectively and with minimum risk.

Underwater Systems produce a wide range of intelligent and dumb exercise mines, which also contain self-recovery systems allowing them to be recovered by acoustic command without divers.

This order is for two VEMS products -MkII and Type S. VEM MkII are designed to tackle the deep-water scenario and simulate mines that target capital ships. Whereas the VEM Type S is representative in size, shape and target strength of modern low profile ground mines, normally found in shallower water and used as an anti-invasion device.

The VEMS final outfit will take place at Underwater Systems' operations in Waterlooville, Hampshire UK and will secure 10 jobs until April 2004 when the order will be delivered.

Andy Williams Managing Director of Underwater Systems said "The Royal Navy operates one of the best Mine Counter Measure (MCM) forces of any Navy in the world. This equipment will enable them to practice against realistic, modern targets, which is a key element in maintaining those skills.�

Kenny Brown Equipment Project Manager for Mine Warfare at UWS IPT said "We are investing in VEMS as we want to give the user the best products available on the market today so that they are fully equipped and capable of dealing with any mine warfare scenario.�