Lockheed Martin submarine combat system completes testing in Brazillian Navy Sea Trials

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 10, 2011. The Brazilian Navy recently tested an integrated combat system provided by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] on the SS Tapajo, a U209 (Tupi)-class submarine. The exercise marks Brazil’s first use of the combat system and demonstrates its compatibility with international allied navies.

The SS Tapajo’s integrated combat system detected, tracked and launched Mark 48 Mod 6AT torpedoes at targets during sea trials and combat system acceptance testing.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract in 2008 as part of a foreign military sale to modernize combat systems for the Brazilian Navy’s three Tupi-class submarines in addition to the SS Tapajo, as well as one Tikuna-class submarine. With the first combat system now operational aboard SS Tapajo, efforts are now focused on updating the three remaining Tupi-class submarines and the Tikuna.

The modernized systems provide the Brazilian Navy with improvements in overall submarine performance and war fighting capability. At the same time, the integrated combat system also improves interoperability between the Brazilian, U.S. and other allied naval forces.

The combat system features an open-architecture solution that uses commercially available technology, making it adaptable for various-sized submarines.