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Northrop Grumman has secured a follow-on production contract for AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP Block 3 systems by the US Navy – the system is employed on Surface Combatants to defeat legacy and emerging anti-ship threats using non-kinetic/electronic attack methodologies – with an emphasis on a distributed and ally-support maritime combat doctrine.
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Northrop Grumman’s approach to this system is centred on a ‘software defined, hardware enabled’ open architecture that quickly integrates with other combat systems while adopting the latest electronic attack capabilities to ensure the system remains ahead of the threat and supports the US Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) CONOPS.
The $100.7 million base contract is for the first follow on production lot of AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 electronic warfare systems.
Ingrid Vaughan, vice president and general manager, maritime/land systems and sensors at Northrop Grumman, explained, “With this follow on production award, Northrop Grumman will continue to provide game-changing maritime EW capability that will underpin future Fleet Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare operations.”
The contract has a maximum value of $1.16 billion. The system will be installed initially on Arleigh Burke Class destroyers and is scalable to other ship classes.
SEWIP Block 3 is the third in a series of incremental upgrades that adds an electronic attack (EA) capability to the AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare (EW) system to defend ships against anti-ship missiles. The program is managed by the US Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS).
“We are writing a new chapter in the evolution of the AN/SLQ-32 that will fundamentally change how the Fleet will win the fight for years to come,” Vaughan added.
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defence and cyber space to meet the ever evolving needs of customers worldwide.
The concept of DMO intends to enable a force that is capable of winning a fleet-on-fleet engagement through the integration of US and allied manned and unmanned systems, execution of deceptive tactics, and emboldening of units to conduct offensive strikes.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
