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Peterson Gets $96.6-Million Navy Contract To Build Two Additional MCMs The Naval Sea Systems Com- mand has awarded a $96.6-million contract to Peterson Builders, Inc. of Sturgeon Bay, Wise., for con- struction of two more mine counter- measures ships, the MCM-6 and MCM-8. The Wisconsin yard al- ready had three MCMs on its order- book under contracts totaling $180.2 million. The new MCM, the first mine countermeasures ship developed by the Navy in almost 30 years, have an overall length of 224 feet, beam of 39 feet, and displacement of about 1,200 long tons. They will be equip- ped with the most modern combat systems to effectively search for, de- tect, and neutralize a variety of mine threats. In addition, the ships will be fitted with mechanical, mag- netic, and acoustic minesweeping systems. The MCM is constructed entirely of wood, a combination of oak fram- ing and Douglas fir planking and deck sheathing. The superstructure is a combination of solid and lami- nated woods. The entire ship is cov- ered with GRP fiberglass for envi- ronmental protection. The MCMs are built of wood to reduce their overall magnetic signature when hunting mines that are programmed to detonate based on a magnetic force field. Tideland Introduces New Buoy Design For Deepwater Applications m f Tideland's Sentinel SAB-12 provides a sta- ble, striking visual target for ships entering a large offshore oil port on Gulf of Mexico. Tideland Signal Corporation of Houston, Texas, has introduced the new SAB-12 Sentinel Articulated Buoy. According to the manufactur- er, the buoy has outstanding sta- tion-keeping capabilities and may be deployed where water depth makes placement of a fixed struc- ture impractical. The SAB-12 consists of two rigid tubes flanged together above the waterline, a submerged buoyancy section and a cylindrical fiberglass daymark. The buoy is held in place ir™ by a tension element of jacketed Kevlar™ rope attached by a swivel to a large concrete sinker. When the buoy is installed it is said to be exceptionally stable, displaying minimal watch circle. High above the waterline and im- pregnated with bright, permanent color, the daymark cylinder is a striking visual target. All Tideland navaids and Sola Viva® solar electric generators are designed for depen- dability and will operate for many years with minimal maintenance. Exceptional visibility is a priority of the SAB-12's design: the focal plane of the lantern is 25 feet above MWL, and the radar reflector has a range in excess of eight miles. Adding a frequency-agile SeaBeacon® racon can make the buoy's location clear to oceangoing vessels more than 15 miles out, night and day in all weather conditions. Sentinel Articulated Buoys are available in a range of sizes for a variety of applications and water depths up to 200 feet. Tideland offers a computerized buoy per- formance program for custom matching of buoy design and moor- ings to client specifications. For free literature containing full details, Circle 3 on Reader Service Card Here's the better way to meet your long bar and shaped shaft needs Now there's a better way to meet your long bar and shaped shafts needs in single pieces or shorter pieces in multiples, thanks to the unique capabilities of Armco's Precision Rotary Forge. Armco produces finished lengths up to 38 feet with weight up to 12,000 pounds. Computerized manufacturing assures accurately reproduced multiple pieces. You benefit from close tolerances, excellent straightness, consistent analysis and structure, plus extremely flexible manufacturing sched- ules to meet your exact require- ments. The result? Effective solutions for your equipment design, especially when coupled with our new high-strength stainless alloys. Start with our own bottom- poured ingots or with material supplied by you. We'll produce one piece or hundreds to meet your specifications. For full technicial information call Armco's Customer Information center today at 1 -800-638-1452 (in California call 1-800- 325-5159. In Baltimore, call 563-5776). Armco Stainless Steel Products, Baltimore, Maryland 21203. ARMCO SPECIALTY STEELS v DIVISION Circle 152 on Reader Service Card •