Ship Self Def (Engage: Soft Kill/EW)

Abstract

0954 - The Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) is segmented into Block 1A, Block 1B, Block 2, Block 3 and Soft Kill Coordination System (SKCS). Block 1A upgraded the AN/SLQ-32 pulse-processing computers. Block 1B added adjunct sensors, including Specific Emitter Identification (SEI), and High Gain High Sensitivity (HGHS) (Block 1B3), a critical improvement for extending the battle space. Block 2 enhanced Surface Electronic Warfare (EW) and provided improved Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) and situational awareness (SA) through an improved Electronic Support (ES) receiver, antenna, and combat system interface. The addition of Block 2 to Block 1B3 forms the AN/SLQ-32(V)6. Block 3 will provide an enhanced Onboard Electronic Attack (EA) capability to improve ASMD and counter-targeting. The addition of Block 3 to AN/SLQ-32(V)6 forms the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 system. The SKCS will provide SK weapon coordination and enhanced situational awareness to the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 and (V)7 with EW/radar track association to support Softkill (SK) engagement decisions. EW Rapid Capability Insertion Process (RCIP) identifies system and mission capability gaps by analyzing EW baseline and fleet requirements, prioritizes those gaps based on fleet input and critical technology maturity, and develops upgrades to the AN/SLQ-32(V) product line to address those gaps. RCIP also integrates Future Naval Capability (FNC) programs into SEWIP. Scaled Onboard Electronic Attack (SOEA) is an incremental development program added under PU 0954 by the USN to provide an advanced Electronic Attack (EA) capability against anti-ship missiles that initiates in FY24. The developmental efforts transition to a new project under PU 3469 for FY25 and FY26. The FY25 budget request supports continued development, test and integration of SKCS with AEGIS Baseline (BL) 9 and BL 10, year five efforts for RCIP #7 which analyzes and designs hardware upgrades to improve signal throughput and system reliability, and continues RCIP #8 to improve anti-ship missile defense capability of SLQ-32(V)6/7 when operating with other netted EW sensors and effectors. In FY25, RCIP #6 initiates efforts to implement Built In Test and Signal Processing. Since the FY24 budget request, RCIP #10, #11, and #12 have been added for Measurement Based Adaptive Response, the Electronic Warfare (EW) Planning Aid, and the Tactical Simulator (TACSIM) Technology Refresh. 2190 - The Offboard Active Decoy (Nulka) is a joint cooperative program between the United States and Australia that developed an active offboard decoy that utilizes a broadband radio frequency repeater mounted atop a hovering rocket. Nulka counters a wide variety of present and future radar guided Anti-Ship Missiles (ASMs) by radiating a large radar cross section while flying a ship-like trajectory. The United States developed the electronic payload and fire control system, while Australia developed the hovering rocket. The FY25 budget request includes Decoy Launcher Processor (DLP) Nulka Objective Architecture backward compatibility technology with Soft Kill Coordination System (SKCS). The Objective Architecture development will continue which provides improved Nulka decoy deployment as well as SKCS integration. 3068 - The Long Endurance Electronic Decoy (LEED) program will deliver an expendable long endurance autonomous off-board decoy Countermeasure system, comprised of a flight vehicle and Radio Frequency (RF) payload with modular capability allowing for rapid modification of the Electronic Warfare (EW) payload. LEED development executes under a middle tier rapid prototyping acquisition strategy pursuant to Section 804 of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act. LEED will integrate with SLQ-32 and address EW gaps in response to a fleet requirement to counter Anti-Ship Missile (ASM) threats. LEED will provide the fleet with enhanced EW coordination and capability, including the ability to stretch engagement timelines and counter heterogeneous missile attacks. The overarching LEED strategy consists of two phases including a Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping (MTA RP) phase followed by Major Capability Acquisition. The MTA RP phase will include Preliminary and Intergrated Countermeasure Prototype Development (FY21-FY25), and Integrated System Testing (FY24-FY25). The MTA RP phase includes the development and test of operational-level Countermeasure prototypes, launch systems, and control software that demonstrate and validate critical capabilities, including flight performance, control, and RF functionality. Data collected from the initial prototypes will be used to develop Engineering Development Models (EDMs) for Qualification Testing to support a Milestone C decision for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) as LEED enters the Major Capability Acquisition phase. LRIP will be executed under a follow-on production OTA and will include the procurement and fielding of production representative units for at-sea capability assessments (FY28) of the Countermeasure system, while LEED transitions to full production and sustainment.? LEED will be developed alongside the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Long Endurance Airborne Platform (LEAP) Project, which began in FY21. LEED will leverage technologies developed and matured under the ONR LEAP Project. The FY25 funding request supports the completion of integrated system testing, EDM delivery, and continued LEED integrated countermeasure development at the prime contractor. This includes material purchases, system/subsystem integration, and early prototype system demonstrations that support rapid design improvement. The FY25 funding increase supports the design's completion, government testing, and product support elements in order to enable rapid fielding in accordance with Fleet priorities. 3316 - The Advanced Offboard EW (AOEW) program is for the development of long duration off-board decoys integrated with onboard systems for EW coordination to counter identified EW gaps (additional details classified) in response to an urgent operational need from the Fleet that has been approved by the CNO for execution. In FY 2012, the program began with a Rapid Response Effort (RRE) which was completed in FY 2014. The RRE consisted of the evaluation and integration of commercially available decoys. The Decoy Development Effort (DDE) consists of the development and evaluation of a long duration, active electronic offboard decoy system (payload) integrated on an existing flight vehicle (MH-60R/MH-60S), integration with ship and air systems, and a government software development effort to integrate AOEW into the Soft Kill Coordination System (SKCS) to gain maximum effectiveness from the decoy through coordination with an onboard system. In the DDE/E&MD Contract effort, which commenced in 2017, the program is developing and integrating Engineering Development Models (EDMs) with the System of Systems (SOS) partners to include conduct of Factory Qualification Testing (FQT), preparation for the program's test phase ramping up in Q2FY23, and FY23 delivery of the Technical Data Package (TDP). Schedule shifts in program testing and delivery of TDP are due to test complexity. As part of the MH-60R/S Flight Certification effort, the program is required to complete NAVAIR Avionics Operating Program (AOP) software development and Flight Certification, which are critical to support fielding of the AOEW decoy. The AOP software supports integration of the AOEW decoy with the MH-60R/S airframe and is required for successful completion of Flight Certification. AOP software development was completed in FY21. Flight Certification testing includes Ground and Flight Jettison, Flight Test for Mission Performance / Spec Compliance Flight Test, Functional Software Test, and Decoy Fit and Egress Test, which ensures operational Safety of Flight and is critical to successful decoy fielding. The FY25 budget request supports NAVAIR conduct of Avionics Operating Program (AOP) MH-60R and MH-60S Software Testing necessary for AOEW Decoy and Helicopter Integration into the baseline and NAVAIR Air Worthiness and Flight Certification. 3321 - SEWIP Block 3 is developing an advanced Electronic Attack (EA) capability to keep pace with the evolving Anti-Ship Missile (ASM) threat and counter-targeting required for the AN/SLQ-32(V) system. SEWIP Block 3 will provide the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 system for all surface ships (CVN, DDG, LHD) outfitted with the active variant of the AN/SLQ-32, mainly the (V)3 and (V)4, as well as select new construction platforms. The SEWIP Block 3 Acquisition leverages technology developed under the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Integrated Topside (InTop) Science and Technology (S&T) effort. SEWIP Block 3 will continue to expand the integrated shipboard combat system by providing new integrated EA transmitters, arrays, and associated EA techniques. The AN/SLQ-32(V)7 integrates the new EA countermeasure (SEWIP Block 3) with the AN/SLQ-32(V)6. The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 includes an Electronic Support (ES) receiver (SEWIP Block 2), a High Gain High Sensitivity (HGHS) receiver (SEWIP Block 1B3), a Specific Emitter Identifier (SEI) receiver (SEWIP Block 1B2), display console, and backend electronics. SEWIP Block 3 includes the government software development and integration effort for a SoftKill Coordinator (SKC) to manage EA engagements. SEWIP Block 3 is developing an Electronic Warfare Test Bed (EWTB) to validate system performance via modeling and simulation. SEWIP Block 3 is also investigating higher efficiency Gallium Nitride (GaN) High Power Amplifiers (HPA). GaN HPAs are used in maritime advanced technology radar and surface electronic warfare systems. For radar and electronic warfare systems, this will yield technology to incorporate and integrate into radar and electronic warfare Transmit/Receive Module designs, with a beneficial impact of improved Power Added Efficiency (PAE) for the systems resulting in a reduction in power draw from ship's service electrical power for the same radar and electronic warfare system performance. To keep pace with evolving ASM threats and counter-targeting, SEWIP Block 3 will incorporate capability improvements via a technology insertion plan. This capability improvement plan will mature, develop, and validate technology solutions to improve capability for insertion into SEWIP Block 3 upgrades. Technology solutions will result in technical data packages with Government-owned data rights. Solutions will be incorporated into the SEWIP Block 3 technical data packages for incorporation into production and/or back-fit of fielded systems. The FY25 funding request for SEWIP Block 3 will focus on the conduct of Technical Evaluation (TECHEVAL)/Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) and the Full Rate Production (FRP) Decision Review (DR). Software and Hardware baseline upgrades, training curriculum development and EW Testbed model upgrades will continue. HPA efficiency design and development efforts to reduce required power and fuel consumption will conclude. Block 3 Capability Improvements will commence in FY25. 3469 - Scaled Onboard Electronic Attack (SOEA) is an incremental development program added under PU 0954 by the USN to provide an advanced Electronic Attack (EA) capability against anti-ship missiles that initiates in FY24. The developmental efforts transition to a new project under PU 3469 for FY25 and FY26. SOEA will assimilate into the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) family of shipboard Electronic Warfare systems. The program is intended to be scalable for Surface Combatants with size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) constraints that cannot support AN/SLQ-32(V)7 (SEWIP Block 3) installation; however, it is not meant as a replacement for SLQ-32(V)7. SOEA development executes under a Middle Tier Rapid Prototyping acquisition strategy pursuant to Section 804 of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act. SOEA's acquisition strategy consists of two phases: Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Fielding. SOEA Phase 1 includes prototyping of critical technology elements (CTEs) via the Defense Microelectronics Agency (DMEA) to prove out and validate critical performance capability, system architecture functionality, supportability requirements and improvements that build on the CTEs, update external interfaces for system and platform integration and incorporate software improvements. SOEA Phase 2 will be the fielding of the capability developed in Phase 1. The SOEA Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) leverages technology developed by the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). SOEA will continue to expand the integrated shipboard combat system by providing new integrated EA capability. SOEA will be integrated with AN/SLQ-32(V)6. SOEA includes a government software development and integration effort for a Soft-Kill Coordinator System (SKCS) to manage EA engagements. The FY25 budget request for SOEA supports Rapid Prototype Development #1, #2, and #3 to prove out and validate critical performance capability, system architecture functionality, and supportability requirements; failure mode analyses and initiating development of the SOEA training modules of the Surface Electronic Warfare Tactical Trainer (SEWTT).

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604757N_5_1319_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FY23 funding decrease of $1.061M is due to a decrease for SBIR reductions ($1.049M), miscellaneous rate adjustment increase ($0.001M), and reprogramming reduction ($0.013M). FY25 funding increase of $31.127M is due to program adjustments and Rate/Misc Adjustments increase ($0.152M).
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• 5G
• 5G - DoD 5G Program
• Microelectronics
• Space