The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $94.5 million contract for work on full-rate production of surface electronic warfare improvement program (SEWIP) Block 2 subsystems (AN/SLQ-32(V)6).
SEWIP is an evolutionary acquisition and incremental development program to upgrade the existing AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare system.
The new system will allow U.S. aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships to determine if the electronic sensors of potential foes are tracking the ship.
According to Lockheed Martin, the system is the first sensor to be fully compliant with the Navy’s product line architecture strategy, which facilitates the rapid introduction of new technology into the fleet.
Block 2 is the latest deployed improvement in an evolutionary succession of “blocks” the Navy is pursuing for its shipboard electronic warfare system, which will incrementally add new defensive technologies and functional capabilities. Block 2 provides an upgraded antenna, receiver and improved interface with existing ship combat systems.
Lockheed is expected to complete work on the latest contract by July 2019.