Technical Systems Integration of Chesapeake, Va., has received a $10.6 million contract for depot-level repair, overhaul, and modification of MK-105 magnetic minesweeping gear.

The contract, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the deal to $54 million. Work will be performed in Panama City, Fla., and is expected to be completed by August 2019.

Navy fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $2.6 million will be obligated at time of award

The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System is a catamaran hydrofoil which is towed behind the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter. It is used to detect mines that use magnetic sensors to target the metallic hulls of ships before detonating.

Magnetic mines were invented by Germany during World War II and were used in huge quantities in British sea lanes. They could be moored tens of meters underwater and use their sensors to detonate when a ship passed by.

They inflicted great damage on British shipping and required a massive research drive to counter. Mine warfare played a large role in the conflict, with both sides laying large minefields surrounding British and German ports.

Vigor Marine to refurbish USNS Amelia Earhart
Washington (UPI) Aug 27, 2018 - Vigor Marine has received a $19.7 million contract for the overhaul and dry docking of USNS Amelia Earhart.

Work on the contract, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, will include refurbishment for the ship, forward aqueous fire fighting foam piping replacement, docking and undocking equipment, propeller shaft and stern tube inspection, hull cleaning and painting, and flight deck renewal.

The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to just under $20 million, with work to be performed in Portland, Ore. Work on the vessel is expected to be completed by December 2018, the Pentagon said.

Navy fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $19.7 million have been obligated at the time of award.

The USNS Amelia Earhart is a cargo replenishment vessel of the Lewis and Clark-class. It operates under the Navy's Military Sealift Command but was built under commercial, rather then military, standards in order to minimize costs.

The Lewis and Clark-class are designed to carry fuel and other supplies while accompanying a carrier strike group. They are mostly manned by civilian crew, but include a contingent of Naval personnel to advise and assist during active operations. The vessels carry a crew of over 150 and mount a minimal armament of several .50 machine guns for point defense.

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Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

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US Navy marks return of Cold War-era fleet
Washington (AFP) Aug 24, 2018
The US Navy on Friday marked the official resurrection of a disbanded, Cold War-era fleet that was scrapped in 2011 and is returning amid heightened tensions with Russia. In May, the Navy announced it was bringing back the 2nd Fleet, which played a key role during the Cold War years with operations in the North Atlantic and supporting US naval forces in the Mediterranean. The fleet, first stood up in 1950, was scrapped for cost-saving reasons during a time of reduced tensions with Moscow. It ... read more