The first hull-mounted acoustic array for Virginia-class submarines is being built by Aerostructures Engineered Polymer Products. U.S. Navy photo by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

April 4 (UPI) -- Aerostructures Engineered Polymer Products has started the manufacture of the first hull-mounted acoustic array for Virginia-class U.S. Navy submarines.

The Large Vertical Array, or LVA, together with other systems and sonar processing capabilities provides a tactical picture that shows other submarines and surface ships nearby.


"Our proven ability to provide advanced acoustic products that maximize sonar system performance gives our sailors a significant at-sea advantage," Aerostructures President Marc Duvall said in a press release. "Our dedicated team of engineers and manufacturing experts is committed to delivering superior acoustic technologies while exceeding expectations on cost, quality, schedule and performance. We look forward to building on our longstanding relationship with the U.S. Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat."

EEP, a division of UTC Aerospace Systems, collaborated with the U.S. Navy and prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat on the LVA design and system development.

According to UTC Aerospace, EEP built two prototype LVAs – using polyurethane design and manufacturing -- for two different submarine classes in 2008. It then leveraged lessons learned with the prototypes for the design of the Virginia-Class LVA.

Additional details of the system were not disclosed by UTC Aerospace, which announced the EEP work.