Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Team To Build Coast Guard's Deepwater System

By RICHARD R. BURGESS
Managing Editor

The long wait for the selection of an industry team to outfit the U.S. Coast Guard with its next generation of ships, aircraft, and command-and-control systems has ended with the announcement that the team of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $16.5 billion Department of Transportation contract to recapitalize the multimission service under a joint venture known as Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS).

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael P. Jackson made the selection announcement, along with Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins, on 25 June. "The Deepwater Program will ensure that the Coast Guard continues to guarantee the nation's maritime security," Jackson said. "As America's first line of defense for maritime homeland security, it is critical that the Coast Guard be able to identify and intercept targets of interest as far from U.S. shores as possible."

The contract award to ICGS may extend up to 30 years, Coast Guard officials said. The Deepwater program, the Coast Guard said, calls for the acquisition of "up to 91 ships, 35 fixed-wing aircraft, 34 helicopters, [and] 76 unmanned aerial vehicles ... [and the] upgrade of 49 existing cutters and 93 helicopters, in addition to systems for communications, surveillance, and command and control." The contract is the largest in Coast Guard history and the first to procure several types of ships, aircraft, and systems in one program. Deliveries of the first ships and aircraft, and some upgrades of existing ships, are scheduled to take place within five years.

As new ships are delivered under the Deepwater Program, the Coast Guard will retire many of its older ships, including its 12 1960s-vintage Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, the 14 Reliance-class medium-endurance cutters, and many older ships, some of which date back to World War II. Not included in the ICGS contract is the replacement of smaller rescue and patrol boats, buoy tenders and workboats, icebreakers, and shore facilities, Coast Guard officials said.

Rear Adm. Patrick M. Stillman, the Coast Guard's Deepwater program manager, described the Deepwater system as "a force multiplier for the Navy and the naval needs of this nation." He said it is reasonable to assume that the Navy and Coast Guard will continue to expand the National Fleet concept, and that there will be some shared technologies linking Deepwater with the Navy's DD(X) program, particularly the proposed Littoral Combat Ship.

ICGS will oversee the work of more than 100 companies in 32 states, as well as four international companies, including EADS. During the first five years of the contract, ICGS will: (a) focus on providing a network-centric C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capability for new and existing platforms; (b) upgrade older platforms until new ships and aircraft are fielded; and (c) design, build, and deploy the first National Security Cutter (NSC).

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) will design and build the NSC. Lockheed Martin will design and provide an advanced, fully integrated C4ISR network linking all of the new or upgraded cutters, aircraft, and Coast Guard shore facilities, and will provide fully integrated aircraft, both manned and unmanned, as well as the logistics system for the entire program.

NGSS will build not only the 425-foot, 3,686-ton NSC but also the 341-foot, 2,921-ton offshore patrol cutter (OPC). Bollinger will be subcontracted to build the 130-foot, 198-ton fast response cutter (FPC).

EADS is expected to provide a new fleet of CASA CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft, and to upgrade and modernize the Coast Guard's existing fleet of HH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

Unmanned aerial vehicles--such as Northrop Grumman's high-altitude/high-endurance Global Hawk and Bell's vertical takeoff and landing Eagle Eye--also are being considered for integration into the program.

"We are proud to partner with the Coast Guard to ensure its ability to meet its evolving missions through a transformational modernization program," said Vance D. Coffman, chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin.

"We are very pleased to help the Coast Guard write a new chapter in its proud 200-year history," said Kent Kresa, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman. "Successful development and implementation of the Deepwater system is critical to America's maritime safety and homeland security. Our team's approach provides a single integrated package of ships, aircraft, and helicopters, all linked by advanced common software and systems."

"As the leader in Maritime Homeland Defense, the Coast Guard must have the most capable ships, aircraft, sensors, and communications technology available to protect our nation and carry out our many missions," Collins said. "The Deepwater Program will give us the necessary tools to create an effective, layered defense of our nation's maritime interests."

Growing JSF Team Attracts Three More NATO Partners

Three more NATO nations have joined the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, The Netherlands, and Denmark in signing on to the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Italy, Norway, and Turkey all have pledged participation in the JSF program led by Lockheed Martin.

Three additional nations are expected to join the SDD phase of the JSF program. Australia already is negotiating the details of its participation in the JSF, and Singapore and Israel reportedly "have expressed interest" in future participation with the U.S. government.

Teamed with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in the JSF program is a consortium of aerospace companies including Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, TRW, L-3 Communications, Pratt & Whitney, GE Aircraft Engines, and Rolls-Royce. The team is scheduled to build 22 JSFs during the SDD phase; the first JSF is scheduled for delivery in 2008.

Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, representing the Italian government, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 24 June with U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Edward C. Aldridge Jr. to participate in the JSF SDD phase. Italy joins as a Level II partner with a pledge of $1.028 billion for the SDD phase, and will assign five Italian Air Force and Navy personnel to the U.S. Department of Defense's JSF Program Office.

"Italy presents the opportunity to infuse the JSF program with the country's impressive high-technology industry," said Tom Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the JSF program at Lockheed Martin. "Historically, Italian industry has been a great partner to Lockheed Martin, and certainly has the potential to bring 'best value' work to the JSF program."

Norway has signed into the JSF SDD program as a Level III partner, pledging approximately $130 million for the program. Norwegian National Armaments Director Leif Lindback signed an MOU with Aldridge on 20 June.

"Our partnership with Norway in this key program will not only meet our mutual national security needs in the coming years," said Aldridge, "it will also enhance NATO interoperability, promote defense transformation, positively impact program affordability, and strengthen industry linkages."
"This project will enhance interoperability with U.S. and allied forces, and will provide opportunities for Norwegian industry to participate in this cutting-edge aerospace project," Lindback said.

"Norway is a valued ally with an astute technical capability that will benefit both the F-35 program and future pilots who fly the aircraft," Burbage said.

The government of Turkey also has signed on as a Level III partner, promising approximately $175 million for the program. Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries Dursun Ali Ercan signed an MOU with Aldridge on 11 July to formalize his country's participation in the SDD phase. Turkey earlier had committed $6.2 million for the JSF concept demonstration phase. Turkey also has an engine production facility in partnership with GE Aircraft Engines, a relationship that could enhance Turkey's role in JSF production.

The Australian government has indicated that it will commit approximately $150 million to the SDD phase as a Level III partner.

BIW, NGSS Swap LPD, DDG Work

In a move praised as a "win-win-win" situation for two shipbuilders and the American taxpayers, the Navy has approved a transfer of ship-construction work between Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) and General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works (BIW).

In approving a proposal made months ago, the Navy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NGSS and General Dynamics on 17 June that transfers the construction of four San Antonio-class landing platform dock ships (LPDs) from BIW to NGSS and the construction of four Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) from NGSS to BIW.

Navy officials said that the Navy expects to realize "significant cost savings" on the arrangement, which is intended "to provide ... increased LPD 17 program stability and cost savings by centralizing production at one shipbuilder, NGSS, and [to] improve workload stability at [BIW], which will build additional DDGs in its new, more efficient, land-level facility."

The shipbuilding transfer agreement "will save the taxpayers money over the life of these two programs by dramatically reducing the cost and schedule risk in the LPD 17 program," said John J. Young Jr., assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition.
Under the MOU, DDG 102 will be built at BIW instead of at NGSS's Ingalls Operations shipyard. The third San Antonio-class LPD, LPD 19, in the initial stages of construction at BIW, will be transferred to the NGSS Avondale Operations shipyard in New Orleans. La.

In a related development, construction has begun on the Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensors (AEM/S) for the San Antonio. The AEM/S, demonstrated in recent years on the Spruance-class destroyer USS Arthur Radford, fully encloses radar and communications antennas, shielding them from sea-salt corrosion, allowing personnel to maintain them while protected from weather, and filtering electronic noise and other frequencies from off-ship sources that might interfere with the ship's emissions. The enclosure--made with an advanced composite hybrid frequency-selective surface--reduces false targets and limits signal loss.

NGSS Christens 41st Burke-class DDG

The newest Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer (DDG) has been named for a heroic cook who saved the life of a fellow crewmember during World War II. The Pinckney (DDG 91)--the 41st Burke-class DDG--eventually will carry the name of her namesake into service in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The 509.5-foot-long Pinckney is the 19th Burke-class DDG--of 24 contracted--to be built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) at Pascagoula, Miss. The 9,300-ton DDG was christened in honor of Cook Third Class William Pinckney by his widow, Henrietta Middleton Pinckney, who broke a bottle of champagne on the bow of the ship in the traditional manner. Her friend, Judith Adina Hill, served as matron of honor.
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) was the principal speaker at the 27 June christening ceremonies in Pascagoula. Also participating in the ceremonies were Vice Adm. Michael G. Mullen, deputy chief of naval operations for resources, requirements, and assessments; Mitchell Waldman, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for ship programs; Rear Adm. William W. Cobb Jr., program executive officer for theater surface combatants; Capt. Philip N. Johnson, supervisor of shipbuilding, conversion, and repair in Pascagoula; and Philip A. Dur, corporate vice president of Northrop Grumman and president of NGSS.

Petty Officer Pinckney, assigned to the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV 6) during World War II, was manning his battle station in an ammunition handling room during the Battle of Santa Cruz when an explosion killed four of the six men in the room. One surviving Sailor, James R. Bagwell, fell unconscious while trying to escape through a hatch to the hangar deck. Pinckney--who carried Bagwell to safety despite the fire and suffocating smoke and fumes--was awarded the Navy Cross for his selfless act of bravery.

Bagwell's son, James R. Bagwell II, spoke at the christening ceremonies. "I believe my dad was blessed with a guardian angel, and that angel was William Pinckney," Bagwell said. "There was a substantial size difference between the two men, with my father weighing 20 pounds more than Pinckney. Despite this, Mr. Pinckney carried my dad up several decks even though he was severely burned. My father called it a miracle."
The Pinckney is scheduled for commissioning in early 2004 and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif., as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 23.

Defense Industry Notes

* The RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)--built by Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems--reached its 1,000th combat flight hour on 15 June 2002. The reconnaissance UAV has been flying missions over South Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

* The Navy has taken delivery of its first C-37A Gulfstream V rapid-response airlift aircraft from General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. The Coast Guard took delivery in May 2002 of one C-37A, which is replacing its C-20B Gulfstream III as a command-and-control aircraft for the Coast Guard commandant. The Air Force now operates six C-37As; the Army operates one. The C-37A's range of 6,500 nautical miles, maximum altitude of 51,000 feet, and speed of Mach .885 make it ideal for its role, enabling the aircraft to transport senior service officials and/or vital cargo rapidly and directly to many points in the world.

* An industry team led by ATK achieved a significant milestone in naval fires support by firing a precision-guided 5-inch round 54 nautical miles over the Atlantic Ocean from Wallops Island, Va. The Autonomous Naval Support Round, fired by high-performance EX-99 propellant from a 5-inch/62-caliber naval gun, was guided by a GPS (global positioning system) unit.

* Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems has been awarded a $142 million contract for the continued production and delivery of the Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for the U.S. Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy--the latter for its KDX-II destroyer program. Lockheed Martin officials said that more than 2,000 missiles have been launched--more than half of them in combat--from Mk41 VLSs, and have registered a launch reliability record of 99.7 percent. *