Exelis tapped for MK 105

VAN NUYS, Calif. -- ITT Exelis has been awarded a contract valued at more than $10 million to provide one MK 105 Mod 4 airborne minesweeping system for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division in Panama City, Fla. Introduced to the Navy fleet in 1972, the Exelis MK 105 system has been used in every major mine-clearance operation. The Navy’s MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter tows the system through the water, and twin magnetic tails, consisting of open-electrode magnetic sweeps, are towed behind the sled, detonating mines to clear the water for vessels. The work will be done in Panama City by the Exelis radar, reconnaissance and undersea systems business area, which designs and develops integrated minesweeping systems for the U.S. and allied navies. (Source: Business Wire, 04/29/13)