The U.S. Navy’s powerful new tool to detect and defeat incoming anti-ship missile threats is on schedule to be constructed in early 2018. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) is reporting that its new Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) system has passed Preliminary Design Review. The AOEW system will provide MH-60 helicopters with enhanced electronic warfare surveillance and countermeasure capabilities against anti-ship missiles (ASMs).
The AOEW AMP AN/ALQ-248 can work independently or with the Navy ship’s SEWIP 2 AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic surveillance system to detect incoming missile threats and their targets. AOEW has the ability to use radio frequency to deter incoming ASMs and allow the ship to fire off MK234 Nulka decoys. The Nulka Countermeasures system simulates the radar return of a large ship overlapping the target signal and luring the ASM away from its intended target.
The Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) system, developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), passed Preliminary Design Review on schedule, demonstrating outstanding sustained performance. The AOEW system will provide MH-60 helicopters with enhanced electronic warfare surveillance and countermeasure capabilities against anti-ship missile (ASM) threats.
MK234 Nulka decoy.
“The battlefield at sea is constantly changing,” said Joe Ottaviano, electronic warfare program director. “Our Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare capabilities will give the U.S. Navy a powerful tool to detect threats and respond to our adversaries.”
The AOEW contract was awarded on Dec. 23, 2016, building on Lockheed Martin’s 45-year legacy of integrated electronic warfare system success. The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $42 million contract for the system design and development phase. Lockheed Martin expects to be awarded the EMD phase of the contract, which has options for six units, in later this year.
The AOEW AMP AN/ALQ-248 can work independently or with the ship’s onboard electronic surveillance sensor, SEWIP Block 2 AN/SLQ-32(V)6, to detect an incoming missile and then evaluate where it is going. AOEW then uses radio frequency countermeasure techniques to deter the missile. The AOEW program leverages expertise across Lockheed Martin.
Construction of the AOEW systems in Syracuse, New York, is slated to begin in early 2018. The Owego, New York, team will integrate the system onto the MH-60 helicopters, which are built by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company.
Source: Lockheed Martin
Steve Schneider
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