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.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement]()
Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
-
![What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?]()
What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?
Saab’s merger of its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026, aims to enhance efficiency, innovation and competitive positioning in the naval sector.
-
![Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions]()
Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions
Amphibious operations are a very unique type of military operation, and global defence industries are developing new solutions to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
-
![US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026]()
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
-
![Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals]()
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.
