UTC Aerospace Systems Awarded $39 Million Contract for Surface Ship Sonar Domes
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- UTC Aerospace Systems has received a contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane, Indiana, to provide sonar domes for surface combat ships. The five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract is valued at up to $39 million and covers deliveries through 2020 to the U.S. Navy and foreign military sales. In addition to the sonar domes, the contract includes shipping, installation and transportation fixtures, engineering and field services, inspection and repairs. Work will be performed by the Engineered Polymer Products (EPP) team in Jacksonville, Florida, which is part of the Aerostructures business unit. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

A sonar dome is an acoustically transparent housing that surrounds the sonar transducer array used for detection, navigation and ranging. The dome permits acoustic energy to pass through with minimal sound transmission interference. The contract covers two types of sonar domes - a sonar composite dome (SCD) and a sonar dome rubber window (SDRW).
The SCD, mounted on the keel of FFG-7 frigates, uses a patented composite system designed to provide optimal structural and acoustic performance to the ship's sonar system. This allows for enhanced discovery and classification of underwater targets. SCDs replaced traditional rubber domes on U.S. and allied Navy frigates in 1997; they require less maintenance and are expected to last more than 30 years even under the most extreme operating conditions.

The SDRW, bow-mounted on DDG-51 class destroyers as well as on CG-47 class cruisers, is a specialized rubber wire-reinforced structure that houses a ship's sonar system. The rubber's energy absorption and reflection properties enhance a ship's detection capability. EPP has produced more than 300 SDRWs in the past four decades.

"Our proven ability to provide advanced acoustic products that maximize sonar system performance gives our sailors a significant at-sea advantage," said Aerostructures President Marc Duvall. "Our dedicated team of engineers and manufacturing experts at EPP is committed to delivering superior acoustic technologies in support of the U.S. Navy's most advanced surface combatants. We look forward to the opportunity to build upon our longstanding relationship with the U.S. Navy with this sonar dome contract."

UTC Aerospace Systems' EPP team will display at the Sea Air Space tradeshow (booth #2517) April 13 through 15 at the Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland.
UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.