How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
The AN/UPX-24(V) IFF processor is installed on USN ship classes such as Arleigh Burke destroyers. (Photo: USN)
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions announced on 8 February that it had been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract in excess of $8.7 million by the Naval Air Warfare Center's Aircraft Division to supply Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-based single board computer (SBC) technology for AN/UPX-24(V) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) processors.
Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will provide its SVME-183 VMEbus SBC to the navy at St Inigoes, Maryland. This is the third consecutive multi-year IDIQ contract Curtiss-Wright has received in support of this programme. It began in November 2022 and will run until the end of 2024.
Chris Wiltsey, SVP and GM, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, said: 'This contract further strengthens the long and successful relationship we have with the US Navy, and highlights our ability to enhance interoperability and improve cost efficiencies with electronics systems that adhere to the DoD’s mandate for a modular open architecture approach.
AN/UPX-24(V) is a shipboard IFF system installed across USN surface combatants.
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
The US multinational company is currently assembling 300 Rolling Airframe Missile rounds per year, with plans to reach 800 units annually after significant investment and modernisation of its facilities.
RTX’s solution for DARPA’s Pulling Guard programme is intended to provide advanced maritime defence technologies to protect platforms against uncrewed surface vehicles and other threats.
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.