SEWIP - Northrop Grumman

Taking Back the Spectrum

Leslie Zychowski — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:00:00 GMT

The electromagnetic spectrum has become an increasingly contested warfighting environment. The proliferation of modern anti-ship missiles has also driven urgent demand for a flexible, mature and integrated electronic warfare (EW) and ship defense system to protect crews against increasingly sophisticated threats at sea. To meet the increasingly hostile operating environment, the Navy needs to dominate the spectrum today to compete and win into the future.

Northrop Grumman began the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase of the SEWIP Block 3 program in late 2015, producing one engineering development model (EDM) for laboratory and land-based testing. The EDM will be delivered to Wallops Island, Virginia for government testing.

The program reached a major milestone when the U.S. Navy awarded the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 (SEWIP Block 3) Follow-On Production contract on Sept. 30. Initially installed on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the system will also be scalable to other ship classes.

“SEWIP is advancing the art of electronic warfare and is the first system to be fielded on a ship with an inherently multifunction architecture,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman. “Both Northrop Grumman and the Navy are working together to achieve the common goal of providing this discriminating capability to the Fleet and we are on track for installation of the first SEWIP Block 3 system in 2021 on an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.”

The company continues to ramp up Block 3 program activities - growing a strong supplier base, increasing staffing and talent development and investing in additional software-defined capabilities. In 2019, Northrop Grumman opened a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art high-bay facility designed specifically for integration and testing of SEWIP Block 3 hardware and software.

The company also continues to invest in adding capability to the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP system. The team recently completed a demonstration of an advanced suite of communications capabilities. Designed to enable high bandwidth communications across a variety of platforms, this capability can be employed as part of future distributed maritime operations (DMO). The ability to communicate across platforms is essential to maintaining maritime superiority.

Northrop Grumman's capabilities in electronic warfare, full spectrum cyber and electromagnetic maneuver warfare (EMW) span all domains – land, sea, air, space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. With the invisible battle underway, the electromagnetic spectrum remains a fundamental environment that is just as important as traditional warfighting domains. Our nation and its allies must take back the spectrum in order to have a critical advantage to maintain spectrum dominance.

]]>

Northrop Grumman Advances Maritime Electronic Warfare Capability with Follow On Production Contract From US Navy

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 22:03:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – October 2, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a follow on production contract for AN/SLQ-32(V)7 SEWIP Block 3 systems by the U.S. Navy on Sept. 30. The system is employed on Surface Combatants to defeat legacy and emerging anti-ship threats using non-kinetic/electronic attack methodologies.

The SEWIP Block 3 EDM System in the Northrop Grumman High Bay Integration Lab (Baltimore, Md.)

Northrop Grumman’s approach to this system is centered on a ‘software defined, hardware enabled’ open architecture that quickly integrates with other combat systems while adopting the latest electronic attack capabilities to ensure the system remains ahead of the threat and supports the U.S. Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) CONOPS.

The $100.7 million base contract is for the first follow on production lot of AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 electronic warfare systems. The contract has a maximum value of $1.16 billion. The system will be installed initially on Arleigh-Burke class destroyers and is scalable to other ship classes.

SEWIP Block 3 is the third in a series of incremental upgrades that adds an electronic attack (EA) capability to the AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare (EW) system to defend ships against anti-ship missiles. The program is managed by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS).

“With this follow on production award, Northrop Grumman will continue to provide game-changing maritime EW capability that will underpin future Fleet Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare operations” said Ingrid Vaughan, vice president and general manager, maritime/land systems and sensors, Northrop Grumman. “We are writing a new chapter in the evolution of the AN/SLQ-32 that will fundamentally change how the Fleet will win the fight for years to come.”

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

]]>

Capability, Maturity, Flexibility – SEWIP Block 3 on Track to Deliver Critical Electronic Warfare Improvement to the Fleet

Chad Tragakis — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 13:00:00 GMT

As Electronic Warfare (EW) continues to shape the future battlespace, Northrop Grumman is advancing a critical capability for the U.S. Navy. The Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) protects surface ships from anti-ship missiles, providing early detection, signal analysis and threat warning. Three SEWIP block upgrades have been established and a fourth is planned. SEWIP Block 3, being developed by Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS), adds electronic attack to the SLQ-32(V) EW system, and is a cornerstone capability that will meet the urgent operational needs of the Fleet. The timing couldn’t be more important, as the pace and complexity of emerging threats continues to escalate.

Artist’s rendering of the SEWIP Block 3 System neutralizing a threat.

In January this year, Northrop Grumman announced it had successfully reached a Milestone C decision from the U.S. Navy, reflecting the government-led review of the technology’s performance and readiness. The company’s navigation and maritime systems division soon launched low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the SEWIP Block 3 AN/SLQ-32(V)7 system. That same month, Northrop Grumman opened a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art high-bay facility, specifically designed for integration and testing of the system’s hardware and software.

Low-Rate Initial Production and Testing Progressing Well

Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing team has successfully built the SEWIP Block 3 engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) hardware and is currently conducting system integration and test. Testing in the high-bay facility’s anechoic chamber has been proceeding well.

After successfully completing the manufacturing readiness assessment, demonstrating proven processes and equipment in place, the team launched material procurement and has started manufacturing the first two LRIP systems. An important milestone was recently reached with the production of the 500th RF module, Transmit and Receive components used in the SEWIP Block 3 system.

As progress continues, Northrop Grumman is on track for targeted installation of the first SEWIP Block 3 system in 2021 on an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.

Artist’s rendering of the SEWIP Block 3 System.

Flexibility of the System

With a long legacy of leadership and innovation in electronic warfare, Northrop Grumman has provided expertise to the legacy AN/SLQ-32 EW system for over four decades. Today, with the Navy now recognizing the electromagnetic spectrum as a distinct warfighting domain, Northrop Grumman has continued to invest in advanced capabilities in electromagnetic maneuver warfare (EMW) and has introduced a number of innovative approaches to harness the full potential of the SEWIP system.

SEWIP Block 3 provides game-changing capability for non-kinetic electronic attack options, and the system has the potential to do much more. From advanced communications to multi-role waveforms, the multi-function applications for SEWIP Block 3 will provide enhanced mission capabilities to the Fleet while presenting opportunities for future cost-savings and reduced size, weight and power.

]]>

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Antenna Sharing and Pattern Capabilities at Naval Research Laboratory Test Facility

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 18:30:00 GMT

LINTHICUM, Md. – Oct. 28, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) in partnership with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) successfully completed a critical test in the development of the Integrated Topside (InTop) Low-Level Resource Allocation Manager (LLRAM) program last month at NRL’s test facility in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

InTop EW/IO/COMMS system deployed at Chesapeake Beach, Maryland serving as the test bed for Low-Level Resource Allocation Manager (LLRAM).

LLRAM in conjunction with the InTop Electronic Warfare/Information Operations/Communications (EW/IO/COMMS) system demonstrated the simultaneous sharing of a single antenna, while flexing its adaptable size and antenna pattern capabilities, and performing a mission that would have required multiple dedicated antennas in the past. The significance of the test is to enable future antenna reductions on ships that are already capacity-constrained, allowing for more advanced warfighting capabilities in an ever-increasingly complex battlespace environment.

“The Northrop Grumman/NRL demonstration of LLRAM concepts was conducted in the same environment that proved crucial to the development of the SEWIP Block 3 EDM,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, maritime electronic and information warfare, Northrop Grumman. “The efficiency of signal sharing capabilities, scalability and advanced resource management capabilities developed on the Low-Level Resource Allocation Manager program will allow for a significantly reduced footprint topside.”

The demonstration showed that the EW/IO/COMMS Advanced Development Model for SEWIP Block 3 can serve as a platform for proving out advanced multi-function concepts using existing NRL test assets.

LLRAM and EW/IO/COMMS were developed under the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Command and Control (EMC²) Integrated Topside (InTop) Innovative Naval Prototype. The system leverages four AESA arrays (low band transmit/receive and high band transmit/receive) and intended platforms include cruisers, destroyers and aircraft carriers.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

]]>

Northrop Grumman Authorized to Build SEWIP Block 3 Low Rate Initial Production Systems Following Successful Milestone C Decision

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – Jan. 24, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received authorization to proceed with low rate initial production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 systems following a successful Milestone C decision for the SEWIP Block 3 AN/SLQ-32(V)7 program.

Northrop Grumman has continued to invest in advanced capabilities in Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW). With the Navy elevating the electromagnetic spectrum as a warfighting domain, SEWIP Block 3 is the cornerstone capability that will meet the urgent operational needs of the Fleet.

Milestone C is a government led review to assess a program’s performance and readiness to enter the production and deployment phase. The successful Milestone C decision for SEWIP Block 3 recognizes the accomplishments of the Northrop Grumman and Navy team in demonstrating the capability of this groundbreaking electronic warfare (EW) capability.

“Milestone C approval and the start of LRIP are significant milestones for the SEWIP Block 3 program,” said Captain Seiko Okano, the Navy’s Major Program Manager of Above Water Sensors. “SEWIP Block 3 is a critical capability that the Fleet needed yesterday to pace the evolving anti-ship cruise missile threat. We must continue to push to deliver this critical electronic warfare improvement to the Fleet on schedule and cost.”

SEWIP Block 3 is the third in a series of block upgrades of the AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare (EW) system which provides electronic attack (EA) capability improvements required to pace the evolving anti-ship missile threat. Northrop Grumman has provided electronic warfare expertise to the legacy AN/SLQ-32 EW system for over four decades. With the Navy elevating the electromagnetic spectrum as a warfighting domain, SEWIP Block 3 is a cornerstone capability that will meet the urgent operational needs of the Navy in that domain. SEWIP Block 3 provides game changing improved capability for non-kinetic electronic attack options.

“I am very proud of the entire team in achieving this significant engineering milestone despite the complexities of pursuing such a demanding technological goal,” said Ingrid Vaughan, vice president and general manager, navigation & maritime systems division, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “The relentless commitment of the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) and Northrop Grumman team in developing this revolutionary electronic attack capability will dramatically assist our Fleet in pacing 21st century threats.”

]]>

Northrop Grumman Conducts Critical Design Review for U.S. Navy's Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 Development

Mon, 09 May 2016 18:00:00 GMT

LINTHICUM, Md., May 9, 2016 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully conducted a critical design review (CDR) for the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 AN/SLQ-32(V)7 electronic warfare system.

The CDR, a key milestone for the program, focused on the detailed design of the electronic attack subsystem that will make up a deployable AN/SLQ-32(V)7 system. The review of the detailed design for the auxiliary support, power, and cooling components as well as shipboard compatibility will be later this year. Two prototypes proving out the final design will be provided to the Navy at the end of the Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.

"SEWIP is a truly disruptive technology for our warfighters and we are excited to have completed this important milestone," said Todd Leavitt, vice president of maritime systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "We are working closely with our Navy partners, to deliver this vital capability to our nation's fleet."

The technology represents a quantum leap in the early detection, signal analysis, threat warning and protection from anti-ship missiles. The system enables ships to counter threats non-kinetically, and will be installed on as many as 50 ships identified in the current budget plan.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

]]>