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
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028]()
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
![Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic]()
Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
-
![US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract]()
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
