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L-3 KEO has been awarded a contract to develop new masts for submarines

(AP)

NORTHAMPTON — L-3 KEO, formerly Kollmorgen, has been awarded a $48.7 million contract from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to develop and build a slimmer version of its photonics mast for the Virginia class of submarines.

L-3 KEO will do the engineering and design work for the project during the first year of the contract, with an option to produce up to 29 photonics masts the next four years. The maximum value of the contract is $157 million.

The photonics mast provides the submarine a slimmer profile, making it less identifiable as a U.S. Navy submarine.

"We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the U.S. Navy on the Block 4 LPPM program," said Steve Kantor, president of L-3 KEO. "This is a great opportunity to build on our long-standing partnership with the Navy by delivering sophisticated imaging technologies to a valued customer."