Important Step in Recapitalizing USN Ocean Surveillance Capability
BMT has been awarded a contract to conduct industry studies to advance the design of the next generation of US Navy Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance Ship (T-AGOS(X)). The industry studies will address technical solutions and design tradeoffs, provide recommendations to improve ease and affordability of production, and include technical reviews of the Navy’s evolving ship design. BMT is the prime contractor, partnered with Philly Shipyard.
The contract is a key step in recapitalizing ocean surveillance capabilities as the existing T-AGOS ships reach the end of their service life. T-AGOS capabilities emphasize gathering and processing of underwater acoustic data – crucial for tracking submarines. Their unique small waterplane area twin-hull (SWATH) form offers high stability at slow speeds and in adverse weather conditions.
BMT’s portfolio includes multiple SWATH and semi-SWATH hull forms, including the USN’s SEA FIGHTER (FSF-1), used as a testbed for advanced ship design and innovation. BMT’s ModCat semi-SWATH hull form has also been employed in ocean-going ferries and, more recently, in offshore wind farm support vessels.
“This vessel class and the operational capability it contains form an important element of our nation’s maritime strategy,” explained Kai Skvarla, President of BMT’s US defense business. “The project is an exciting engineering and design opportunity that will be rewarding for the BMT design team.” Following the industry studies effort, a separate T-AGOS(X) Lead ship Detail Design and Construction contract award is planned for FY22, with ship delivery in FY25.