PMA-264 Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UnderSea Advantage (USA) Block 1 (B1) Digital Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR) Vertical Line Array (DDVLA) Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) procurement   3

Background
The PMA-264 Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) program is focused on developing, procuring, fielding, and sustaining effective and affordable ASW capabilities for the Air ASW warfighter.

The contract aims to support the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Digital Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DIFAR) Vertical Line Array (DDVLA) system as part of the UnderSea Advantage (USA) Block 1 initiative. This program involves collaboration with various industry partners to enhance ASW capabilities through innovative technologies.

Work Details
The contract encompasses the development and production of the SSQ-145 DDVLA sonobuoy, which is an air-launched, expendable electro-mechanical sensor designed to relay underwater sounds to remote processors. Key components include:
- Production Sonobuoys: AN/SSQ-101, AN/SSQ-125, AN/SSQ-36, AN/SSQ-53, and AN/SSQ-62.
- Wide Area ASW Search Capabilities: Utilizing Multistatic Active Coherent (MAC) Family of Systems for active acoustic search.
- Sonobuoy Enhancements: Improvements in existing product lines to address Fleet shortfalls.
- EMD Phase includes maturation of Level II Technical Data Package (TDP), integration with qualified digital upper units, redesign of prototype unit battery, and system demonstrations.

The anticipated milestones include:
- Sonobuoy Critical Design Review by Q2FY27
- Program Verification & Validation completion by Q2FY29
- Delivery of Production Representative Model sonobuoys.

Place of Performance
The geographic locations for performance are not explicitly stated but involve collaboration with various industry partners and potential deployment in operational environments relevant to the U.S. Navy.