The US Navy has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for the development phase of its consolidated afloat networks and enterprise services (CANES) programme.

Under the $15m contract, a Lockheed Martin-led team will integrate and test the CANES systems by using the company’s Technology Collaboration Center – West (TCC-W) at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command campus in San Diego.

Over 300 ships and shore-based sites are to install the CANES solution, which will consolidate dozens of the navy’s afloat information systems networks, reduce the infrastructure size and associated costs, and increase reliability and other capabilities as per the warfighter requirements.

The Lockheed Martin-led team includes General Dynamics, ViaSat, Harris Corporation and American Systems Corporation, as well as a number of small, innovative technology businesses.

The 14-month contract is intended for the common computing environment portion of the CANES programme.

The US Navy will select a single prime contractor to complete limited-rate initial production (LRIP) for the CANES programme in 2011.