Groton ― U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, announced Friday that the Department of Defense has awarded a $19 million contract to ThayerMahan to continue developing autonomous maritime sensing technology.

Courtney said the contract will sustain the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ undersea and maritime advantage.

“This federal contract will help strengthen the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ eyes and ears undersea through advanced and innovative autonomous maritime systems, which will be a critical capability in the 21st century. There’s no question that ThayerMahan is a leader in this work, which is why my office and I have long advocated for this Groton-based company to receive federal contracts like this. Congratulations to ThayerMahan and your skilled employees who are leading the design, engineering, and operation of this critical technology,” said Courtney, the ranking member of the House’s Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

“We appreciate the continued support and confidence of the Office of Naval Research as we help generate much needed undersea sensing capacity to sustain our undersea advantage. We are also thankful for the critical role played by Congressman Joe Courtney and his staff. They are a big reason why Southeastern Connecticut is the epicenter of undersea innovation,” said ThayerMahan CEO Mike Connor.