Companies team for Navy EW upgrade

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. Navy program to upgrade electronic warfare systems has brought together Lockheed Martin and Raytheon in a bid for the contract.

"Technology is rapidly advancing around the world and we understand the threats our Navy faces are not simplified by today's fiscal challenges," said Carl Bannar, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Warfare and Surveillance Systems business.

"By teaming with Raytheon, the original developer of the legacy AN/SLQ-32 program, we will provide the Navy with a solution for SEWIP Block 3 that addresses today's and tomorrow's evolving threats."

SEWIP is the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program to boost the capability of the AN/SLQ-32 V3 and V4 EW systems, which provide electronic defenses against missiles. The original AN/SLQ-32 systems were developed by Raytheon for early warning, target tracking and jamming of the electronic guidance signals of incoming missiles.

The Navy is expected to issue a Request for Proposal for the upgrade this year.

Lockheed is developing a SEWIP Block 2 upgrade, which includes passive detection capabilities for advanced threats and a framework for future upgrades.

"Lockheed Martin's experience on the current SEWIP Block 2 system combined with Raytheon's expertise in shipboard EW will give U.S. Navy fleet commanders a critical advantage on the seas," said Mark Kula, vice president, Tactical Airborne Systems, for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.

"The Lockheed Martin-Raytheon partnership provides the low-cost, high-reliability solution the Navy needs to meet current and future sea-surface threat environment."