Submarine Supt Equip Prog

Abstract

AN/BLQ-10 Electronic Warfare (EW) system will continue to add new capabilities via Technical Insertion (TI)/Advanced Processing Build (APB) process while working across Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System (SWFTS) programs to transition to Development Security Operations (DevSecOps) software processes and migrate to a cloud based architecture. The Navy is pursuing a transformation across SWFTS (PE 0604503N Project 0219, PE 0604562N Project 0236, PE 0604777N Project 0253 and PE 0604503N Project 0775) to maximize cyber-resiliency and the speed of capability delivery. Major new capabilities include a modern server-based Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding (CADF) capability, PATRIOT Phase C RADAR, and upgraded and new tactical software solutions. Funding increases in FY22 by $1.632M to conduct the next step of the EW digital transformation and is performed in coordination with the rest of the SWFTS programs. Additionally, this funding completes engineering and manufacturing of mature system development tasks for integration of TI-22 capabilities which consists of two baselines on the SEAWOLF Class and 688 Class submarines. Completing this integration is crucial in providing 688 and SEAWOLF submarines with the next generation of tactical advantages. The Submarine Support Equipment Program (SSEP) is responsible for the development and improvement of submarine EW systems in support of effective operations in the following mission areas: Joint Littoral Warfare; Joint Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), Indications and Warnings; Electronic Warfare; Information Operations including Cyber; and Special Operations Force (SOF) support. The rapid proliferation of complex radar, communications and navigation equipment available to potential adversaries creates an increasingly dense and sophisticated electromagnetic environment. Sustained and significant improvements to submarine EW systems are required to maintain tactical ship safety and operational effectiveness. As such, EW was raised to a submarine primary mission area in FY2012 by Commander Submarine Forces, and EW is listed as a Tier 1 modernization requirement by the Submarine Tactical Requirements Group (STRG). - TI-22 provides the same critical update to 688i and SEAWOLF class ships as TI-20 provided to the VA Class and bring a modern server-based CADF capability. Additionally, TI-22 looks to improve the high-speed network and signal distribution systems developed in TI-20 as well as integrate new generations of EW Payloads. Funding is critical to developing enabling technologies that will provide maximized electronic spectrum digitization and processing, allowing Submarine EW system to continue to pace the threat. The EW environment is increasingly complex and crowded. The paradigms, algorithms, and analog systems the Navy has relied on for decades are no longer able to maintain tactical relevance in the digital era of low power radars with digital waveforms. Tactical decision makers are unable to maintain awareness of the EW spectrum with current systems. Without significant investment in TI-22, the Submarine Navy will not be able to maintain littoral presence, conduct Anti-Access Area Denial operations, coordinated strike operations, joint ISR, and SOF support. - PATRIOT Phase C RADAR improves upon the PATRIOT by updating components for obsolescence, reducing adversary detectability, and improving reliability. PATRIOT RADAR provides a covert RADAR capability for submarines when submerged. - APB-21 continues to bring new capabilities to the AN/BLQ-10 system: Voice to Text, improved Direction Finding for Photonics Masts, EW contact followers, and passive ranging techniques.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 0775_0604503N_5_1319_PB_2022

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Microelectronics