US Navy’s Electronic Warfare programme reaches milestone
The programme to enhance the US Navy AN/ SLQ-32 electronic warfare system has reached a new milestone, with Lockheed Martin validating the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 system’s ability to protect the navy's fleet from evolving anti-ship missile threats.
Lockheed Martin is upgrading the AN/SLQ-32(V)2 system found on all US aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships with key capabilities to determine if adversaries are using electronic sensors to track the ship.
Block 2 obtained a Milestone C decision in January 2013. This was followed by 11 months of land-based testing in preparation for installation on a navy warship.
According to the company, this latest test demonstrated the maturity of the open architecture electronic warfare system by performing full system operation in multiple scenarios.
Joseph Ottaviano, director of surface electronic warfare at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Training division, said: ‘We are very proud of the effort the SEWIP team has put into achieving these successes. Milestone C is a critical step towards delivering these next generation systems to the fleet, and we are extremely pleased with the progress and results.’
Lockheed Martin was awarded the SEWIP Block 2 contract to upgrade the passive detection capabilities of the current SLQ-32 systems in 2009. The US Navy is incrementally adding new technologies and functional capabilities in a succession of these improvement blocks.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Desan Shipyard to build Malaysia’s largest ever coast guard vessel
The vessel should join the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2017.
-
US Navy tests Aegis combat system for hypersonic missile defence
The Arleigh Burke destroyer USS Pinckney undertook the tests against a simulated SM-6 missile.
-
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost
The US Government has awarded a significant contract to move along its Polar Security Cutter programme.