Shipboard IW Exploit

Abstract

The Shipboard Information Warfare (IW) programs are classified Information Warfare/Electronic Warfare (IW/EW) tactical cryptologic systems supporting all facets of Assured Command and Control, Battlespace Awareness, and Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare/Integrated Fires (EMW/IF) modes of global engagement. These programs provide both Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group combatant commanders with real-time indications and warnings (I&W) through acquisition ("Find") and localization ("Fix") of Signals of Interest (SOIs) as well as the Surface Fleet's only EW non-kinetic capabilities ("Finish"). As incremental acquisition programs, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding is required to: rapidly develop and integrate new technologies and associated new operational capabilities to pace both known and future signal threats and transition Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) upgrades to the systems' hardware/software configuration; and deliver upgrades to fielded systems to satisfy Fleet requirements. Program funding incorporates P3I, new Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Government-Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) based technologies and software into the existing systems to address Fleet priorities and capability gaps or to combat known threats. Funding focuses on developing and delivering expanded non-kinetic EW capabilities and net-centric Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to meet intended interoperability objectives through Fleet defined Common Core Architectures (CCA) to enable application hosting services. Capability development is in accordance with Presidential direction and strategic objectives while also supporting multiple Operational Plans (OPLANS), Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and communications challenged or Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) scenarios (further details held at a higher classification level). Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Family of Systems (FoS) will continue development and integration of capabilities which can operate in communication challenged environments for the SSEE Increment F, SSEE Modifications, and Spectral systems. Funding will bring enhanced signals exploitation and expanded SOIs processing capabilities to fielded systems and supports development and integration efforts to fuse data produced and distributed by Shipboard IW/Information Operations (IO) systems with other intelligence data at multiple classification levels to provide data to shipboard combat systems to support kinetic and non-kinetic fires. Data fusion can also be used to enable a more complete understanding and more agile and effective exploitation within the electromagnetic spectrum. SSEE Increment F (and its variants) is the primary, currently fielded system providing full-scope, simultaneous capability, while system variants bring a new dimension of afloat Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities with advanced scalability and modularity for mission planners to execute. SSEE Modifications is a classified tactical signals intelligence frequency extension capability integrated with the SSEE Increment F host system and is broken into two major components: Paragon, which provides simultaneous detection, collection, processing, IO, and display of communication intelligence data from hostile, high threat, and adversary platforms in select frequency ranges not prosecuted or countered with the host system; and the Graywing subsystem which is an advanced common data link with SSEE Increment F systems. Spectral is the Navy's next-generation Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW), and Information Operations (IO) weapons system enabling both maritime IW/EW for both Naval Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group operations. Spectral's primary objective is to provide our Navy's operators with the most capable Radio Frequency (RF) SIGINT collection and exploitation weapons system available to support the widest range of maritime strategic and tactical mission areas, including Indications and Warnings (I&W), targeting, and ship's self defense. Spectral provides scalable, mission configurable, and modular capabilities using a common user interface through an open software architecture to allow rapid integration and deployment of special use capabilities satisfying Navy and Joint maritime intelligence requirements beyond what existing systems can provide. The Advanced IW Aperture program will develop and procure advanced Information Warfare (IW) antennas to enable needed/relevant maritime, surface Information Operations (e.g., Electronic Warfare (EW), Electronic Attack (EA), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)) for Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F and Modifications, Spectral, and other IW programs held at higher classification. Operating in set frequency bands, existing antennas are not sufficient to pace emerging technologies and weapons systems utilizing the Radio Frequency spectrum that pose a threat to U.S. Surface Navy platforms and their intended mission. The details of the ICADS and Horizon sub-projects are classified SECRET and are submitted annually to Congress in the classified budget justification books. In FY 2025, SSEE Increment F will continue P3I and software development to provide enhanced capabilities into the SSEE Increment F system and its variants by continuing to develop, refine, and test new cyber capabilities. These unexplored and unexploited capabilities are in alignment with Joint and service level cryptologic requirements. These include, but are not limited to, advanced Medusa applications and techniques, signal collection and exploitation capabilities through added signal processing capacity and data flows (details held at higher classification), capability drop packages to deliver capability to the Fleet. Develop and deliver SIGINT and EW capabilities based upon the warfighter identified FY 2025 SOIs threats (updated annually) for integration into the SSEE Increment F systems (including its variants) and deliver as required to meet Fleet requirements. Complete the architecture, network performance specifications, and hosting environment to bring NSAnet afloat to all Naval platforms by deploying Navy Tactical Data Network (NTDN) while applying national cybersecurity standards and initiatives to bring advanced inter-strike group network capabilities able to operate in any environment while continuing to integrate cryptologic systems with shipboard combat systems for tightly coupled mission execution across the Navy. In FY 2025, SSEE Modifications will continue hardware and software development to bring advanced capabilities to the Fleet for simultaneous detection, collection, processing, electronic warfare and display of communication intelligence data from hostile, high threat and adversary platforms in select extended frequency ranges not prosecuted today. Begin software development for recurring software releases for Graywing Gen 3 to provide updates to pace the relevant signal threat. In FY 2025, Spectral will complete development of the PRA Afloat system in support of testing events and system certification and continue the delivery of capability drops to SSEE FoS. Complete Developmental Testing (DT) of PRA systems to support a Limited Deployment Decision/Milestone C. Spectral will conduct an Operational Assessment (OA) to support a Limited Deployment Decision/Milestone C using PRA Afloat system. Improvements in system modularity will reduce the afloat installation timeline from approximately five months to three months, allowing OA to occur closer to PRA Afloat delivery. Complete the CI/CD pipeline to improve modularity, automation, and remote delivery for future capability drops which will improve overall installation efficiency. Complete virtual software development environment for enhanced configuration management through Web-based services and applications for a robust, open, modular software development environment. Complete Risk Management Framework (RMF) and associated cybersecurity testing to receive an Authorization to Operate (ATO) using the PRA Ashore system. Spectral will complete Requirements Definition Package #1 and begin implementation of design changes for Fleet Capability Release #1. In FY 2025, Advanced IW Antennas is not a new start; funding previously covered under Spectral and now broken out to provide greater visibility and alignment with this increase in capability. Continue development and engineering for Spectral's Advanced RF aperture solutions including an Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) antenna and continue engineering design efforts for new topside maritime antennas to enable execution of full functionality and scope of Spectral requirements. These improvements are targeted for Fleet Capability Releases #1 and #2 and will not be included with PRA systems. Advanced IW Antennas will begin development of the High Gain, Narrow Band (HGNB) antenna, a satellite communications (SATCOM) antenna with simultaneous Ku/Ka dual-band capability. Begin the New Graywing Antenna Development (NewGRAD), a hemi broadband antenna required to meet Graywing mission requirements and providing Super High Frequency (SHF) direction finding capability. Begin integration with Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP), which will make Spectral interoperable with SEWIP to enable the systems to utilize each other's antennas, increasing the frequency range available to both systems. Begin development of the Actively Steered Electronic Array (AESA), an antenna providing simultaneous transmit and receive capability across a broad frequency range with high Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) and gain-to-noise temperature.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 2134_0304785N_5_1319_PB_2025

Tags

Fields of Study

• Computer science
• Engineering

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space