The Huntsville office of a California engineering firm will perform work on a $178 million contract with the Naval Sea Systems Command that will directly aid SEAL teams in operations.

Teledyne Technologies Inc. announced earlier this week that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville, had received the contract for the follow-on production of MK11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) Systems.

According to the announcement, the SWCS System is a manned combat submersible vehicle specifically designed to insert and extract Special Operations Forces (SOF) in high threat areas.

Several retired Navy SEALs are working with Teledyne Brown on the project, the company said.

Under the initial contract with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Teledyne Brown successfully designed, manufactured, tested and delivered the initial Engineering Development Model (EDM) SWCS System. Due to the success of the program’s EDM Phase, USSOCOM exercised options for the company to produce and deliver additional MK11 SWCS production systems.

“Teledyne is proud to be supplying advanced technologies and systems enabling our Special Operations Forces to perform their missions successfully,” said Al Pichelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne. “The Shallow Water Combat Submersible is a complex system that will assist in the safe delivery and return of those who are protecting our nation.”

The @USNavy recently awarded @TeledyneBrown Engineering in #Huntsville, #Alabama, with a $178 million contract to support our Navy Seals. Great news for North AL & our national defense! https://t.co/n6HOQwKMHM — Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) October 28, 2019

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby touted the contract in a tweet, saying it's "Great news for North AL & our national defense!"

The contract will extend through 2024 if all options are exercised, Teledyne Brown said.