PSC 1287

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) taxonomy classifies what the U.S. government buys so obligations can be tracked, analyzed, and reported consistently across systems such as FPDS. PSCs are governed by the Product and Service Code Manual maintained on Acquisition.gov and are applied to contract actions to identify the principal product or service purchased. ¹

PSC 1287 identifies Fire Control Sonar Equipment. It covers airborne, shipborne, and submarineborne sonar sets, assemblies, subassemblies, and components that are specifically designed for use with underwater fire control equipment, distinguishing these from general-purpose underwater sound equipment. This class is focused on sonar integral to weapon targeting, tracking, and engagement functions rather than acoustic sensing or navigation uses. ²

What this PSC covers

• Underwater fire control sonar sets intended for integration with weapon targeting or engagement functions. ²
• Sonar assemblies and subassemblies designed specifically for underwater fire control applications. ²
• Components uniquely designed for underwater fire control sonar systems (e.g., modules integrated with torpedo fire control). ²
• Airborne sonar equipment when the design intent is underwater fire control. ²
• Shipborne sonar supporting weapon fire control functions. ²
• Submarineborne sonar equipment used for underwater weapon targeting and control. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	5845	Underwater Sound Equipment (excludes items specifically designed for fire control sonar systems)
PSC	1285	Fire Control Radar Equipment, except Airborne
PSC	1230	Fire Control Systems, Complete
PSC	1265	Fire Control Transmitting and Receiving Equipment, except Airborne

Descriptors per PSC Manual. ²

Scope boundaries and common misclassifications

• General-purpose underwater sound gear such as sonar equipment, sonobuoys, sonobuoy launchers, and fathometers belong in PSC 5845, which explicitly excludes items designed for fire control sonar systems. ²
• Fire control assemblies/subassemblies for multiple applications may be classified elsewhere in Group 12; items designed specifically for aircraft gunnery or bombing belong in PSC 1270 or PSC 1280, respectively. ²
• Items designed specifically for guided missile remote control systems (except shipboard type) are classified in PSC 1430, not under PSC 1287. ²
• Equipment designed for multiple applications spanning fire control and communications may fall under appropriate Group 58 classes rather than PSC 1287. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What does PSC 1287 include?

  • PSC 1287 covers sonar sets, assemblies, subassemblies, and components designed specifically for underwater fire control, including airborne, shipborne, and submarineborne configurations. It excludes general-purpose underwater sound equipment, which falls under PSC 5845. ²

• How is PSC 1287 different from PSC 5845?

  • PSC 5845 covers underwater sound equipment generally and explicitly excludes items designed for fire control sonar; those are classified under PSC 1287. Select PSC 1287 when the sonar is integral to weapon targeting or control. ²

• How should a mixed buy with multiple products be coded?

  • Choose the PSC based on the predominant product purchased for the specific action reported in FPDS. Use PSC 1287 only if underwater fire control sonar is the principal item; otherwise, select the PSC matching the dominant deliverable. ²

• Does PSC 1287 cover software-only or firmware-only updates for fire control sonar?

  • Not specified by official sources. ¹

• Are there special environmental reporting attributes for PSC 1287?

  • FPDS collects environmental attributes, but the PSC Manual notes the energy-efficient product definition excludes systems designed or procured for combat or combat-related missions. Apply attributes only when the requirement qualifies under the manual’s definitions. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 1287 overview
• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page). ¹
• PSC Manual, April 2025 edition (official PDF with Group 12 definitions and notes). ²
• DFARS PGI reference noting where to obtain PSC and NAICS codes (DD 2579 guidance). ³
• FPDS ezSearch Help (searching contract data by PSC). ⁴

References

1. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual landing page: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF): https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. Acquisition.gov — PGI 253.219-70 DD Form 2579, Small Business Coordination Record: https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-253.219-70-dd-form-2579small-business-coordination-record
4. FPDS — ezSearch Help: https://www.fpds.gov/help/index.jsp