HALO programme decommissioned by US Navy in favour of LRASM upgrades
The programme was due to be at full operational capability in the US Navy by 2031, but has been pulled over cost and timeline concerns.
Lockheed Martin has received an $184 million contract modification to exercise options for full rate production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block 2 systems, the company announced on 11 February.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will continue providing and upgrading the AN/SLQ-32 systems on US aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships.
The company received an initial $148.9 million full rate production of SEWIP Block 2 systems contract in 2016 with four additional option years to upgrade the fleet's EW capabilities.
SEWIP Block 2 will expand upon the receiver/antenna group necessary to keep capabilities current with the pace of the threat and to yield improved system integration.
The programme was due to be at full operational capability in the US Navy by 2031, but has been pulled over cost and timeline concerns.
The ship is the third in a fleet of 11, with the first vessel due to be delivered in 2026.
The companies have banded together to promote the Fincantieri U212 NFS offering, and hinted that the collaboration may not be a one-bid phenomenon.
The frigate, Spartaco Schergat, is equipped for a broad range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare.
The new contract with Textron Systems will support software development for uncrewed vessels over the next three years.
The global naval market is undergoing a notable transformation, with growth driven by both escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of innovative technologies. Across NATO, but particularly in Europe, navies are accelerating modernisation efforts, spurred by renewed threats and persistent capability gaps.