The U.S. Navy is enhancing its electronic warfare capabilities through several key programs. One of these is the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3, which adds an electronic attack (EA) function to the existing SEWIP architecture.
This enhancement includes the use of active electronically scanned arrays based on Gallium Nitride transmit/receive modules, improving the system’s ability to jam targeting radars and missile seekers.
In addition to SEWIP Block 3, the Navy is procuring the AN/ALQ-248 Advanced Offboard Electronic Warfare (AOEW) mission payload, which is designed for use on helicopters such as the MH-60S/R. This payload includes both high sensitivity receivers and EA subsystems, providing enhanced electronic warfare capabilities.
US Navy and Non-Kinetic Defense System (Credits: Naval News)
The development of a next-generation expendable long endurance autonomous offboard decoy is also underway, although it is at an earlier stage of development.
The first DDG-51 Flight IIA destroyer to receive the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 fit as part of the SEWIP Block 3 upgrade is the USS Pinckney (DDG 91). Post-availability shakedown trials for the USS Pinckney began in November 2023, with further trials scheduled for early March.
USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) are next in line to receive the SEWIP Block 3 upgrade, with General Dynamics NASSCO contracted to implement the upgrade on these ships.
These advancements represent a significant enhancement to the Navy’s electronic warfare capabilities, providing improved protection against threats in modern naval environments.
