Sewip News

The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progress…

“DDG-51 hull form is maxed out in nearly every mission area. Meanwhile, the threat marches on.”Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, director for surface warfareThe U.S. Navy’s highly successful USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) surface combatant program is still going strong and growing in capability. Nearly 40 years later, new ships are still being built. But, the navy said, the ship cannot support the systems of tomorrow needed to meet the future threat.“DDG 51 has been in production for over 40 years with basically the same hull we started with in 1985…

The U.S. Navy has awarded a production contract for its Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 1B3 to General Dynamics Mission Systems. General Dynamics will deliver Block 1B3 system upgrades over the next five years. The upgrades will be integrated into new and existing Navy ships providing significantly improved situational awareness of the tactical environment surrounding the ship. General Dynamics has been involved with the SEWIP Block 1 program since 2003 and received a low-rate initial production contracts for the SEWIP Block 1B3 in 2014. Work on the contract will take place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. SEWIP is comprised of capability improvements divided into production blocks.

General Dynamics Mission Systems makes its debut as General Dynamics' newest business unit at the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) 27th National Symposium. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and General Dynamics C4 Systems combined to form General Dynamics Mission Systems on January 1, 2015. "This restructuring has allowed us to create a real powerhouse. We are stronger together and offer a more robust portfolio of products, services and solutions that help customers successfully execute their missions in today's dynamic environment," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems. "Our exhibits at SNA highlight our collective capabilities from which the U.S. General Dynamics Mission Systems will deliver greater capability more efficiently.

The U.S. Navy is evaluating a scaled-down version of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) system for potential incorporation on future Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Naval Sea Systems Command announced, Nov. 20. SEWIP is an evolutionary development block upgrade program for the SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare (EW) System and will be designated as AN/SLQ-32C(V)6. Still in the early stages of development, its purpose is to provide LCS with an improved electronic warfare suite to improve the ship's defense capabilities.

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $15 million contract modification to continue development and production of the Navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 1B3. General Dynamics will continue to help the Navy enhance its shipboard electronic warfare systems and capabilities, to include providing SEWIP with the ability to detect and identify additional potential threats and provide early warning to combat-systems operators.

U.S. Navy awards Lockheed Martin US$57-million contract to upgrade electronic warfare (EW) ship defense system. Under this low-rate production contract for Block 2 of the Navy's Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP), Lockheed Martin will upgrade the AN/SLQ-32(V)2 system found on all U.S. aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships with key capabilities to determine if the electronic sensors of potential foes are stalking the ship. "The SEWIP Block 2 upgrade will ensure the AN/SLQ-32 system continues to outpace the threat and establishes a framework to easily install future upgrades," said Joe Ottaviano , SEWIP program director for Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) won a follow-on and additional task order contracts totaling $69m from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) for the Navy's Integrated Topside (InTop) program. InTop is an innovative, scalable suite of electronic warfare, information operations and line-of-sight communications hardware and software for use on naval surface platforms. The new suite will reduce the number of multiple topside apertures that naval vessels currently use, increasing bandwidth and resolving electromagnetic interference and compatibility issues caused by the large number of antennas on modern ships. The $66 million option award on the first contract funds the continued development…

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc. Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $6.3m cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for engineering support and systems software/firmware support for Improved Console and Display (ICAD) related upgrades to the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System. The ICAD is a critical component that will facilitate the AN/SLQ 32 mission as the anti-ship missile system, which is part of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP). The AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System is a shipboard missile defense system that provides operational capability for early warning of threat weapon system emitters and emitters associated with targeting platforms…

According to AP, General Dynamics Inc. has received a $13.3m contract modification from the Navy for its surface electronic warfare improvement program. The pact will provide program management, systems engineering and logistics support for the Navy's Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program. SEWIP is an upgraded program for the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare system installed on all naval ships. It is the Navy's primary electronic warfare and anti-ship missile defense system. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., and will be completed by October 2007. The Department of Defense awarded the contract last week.