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
-
![Clock ticks for the US Navy to present a recovery plan for faulty welds in its vessels]()
Clock ticks for the US Navy to present a recovery plan for faulty welds in its vessels
The branch should submit the rework plan to the House of Representatives by 11 October.
-
![Royal New Zealand Navy loses first vessel to the sea in 80 years]()
Royal New Zealand Navy loses first vessel to the sea in 80 years
The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground while surveying a reef near Samoa although all hands were saved.
-
![German Navy places its faith in F125 frigates]()
German Navy places its faith in F125 frigates
First-of-class Baden-Württemberg, a German F125 frigate, has been put to the test and declared suitable for Indo-Pacific operating conditions.
-
![Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship]()
Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship
In June 2022, the Portuguese Navy released the concept of a multifunctional ship called Plataforma Naval Multifuncional (PNM) and a tender was issued in late May 2023. A contract with Damen was signed in November 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship]()
Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship
The Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA or multipurpose combat ship) Thaon di Revel Class class consists of seven multi-role offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Italian Navy. Giovanni delle Bande Nere is the fourth of class.
