Under
this full-rate production contract, Lockheed Martin will provide additional
systems to upgrade the AN/SLQ-32 systems on U.S. aircraft carriers,
cruisers, destroyers and other warships with key capabilities to determine
if the electronic sensors of potential foes are tracking the ship.
"The SEWIP Block 2 System is critically important to the
Navy's operation, and we are proud to continue to provide this capability
to the warfighter," said Joe Ottaviano, electronic warfare program
director. "Threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Our
electronic warfare systems give the warfighter information to enable
a response before the adversary even knows we're there."
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 Martin was awarded the design and development contract for
this program in September 2009. Since then Lockheed Martin has been
awarded Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for an additional
38 units and 22 of these units have been delivered to the Navy on schedule
so far. |