MOORESTOWN, N.J., Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin successfully completed qualification trials for upgraded Aegis Combat Systems.
The systems, deemed fully operational, had been installed aboard the cruisers USS Mobile Bay and USS Philippine Sea.
Lockheed said the ships' upgraded Aegis Combat Systems were evaluated for combat-readiness through comprehensive surface, subsurface and anti-air warfare exercises, which included manned raids and electronic attack scenarios, as well as testing of the systems' tactical data link and air defense capabilities.
"Lockheed Martin continues its legacy of working with the Navy to evolve the Aegis system," said Jeff Bantle, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Surface-Sea Based Missile Defense Systems. "We take great pride in our partnership as the Aegis Platform System Engineering Agent and look forward to using our experience to increase program affordability."
The upgrades involved enhanced technical data collection capability and radar data display systems, as well as a new digital fire control interface between the anti-submarine warfare control system and the vertical launch system.
