Northrop Grumman Contracted for Additional SEWIP Block 3 Buy

BY RICHARD SCOTT

Northrop Grumman has secured a $334.4 million contract from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for continued production of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 system.

The sole-source contract covers production of AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Hemisphere and Quadrant configuration Electronic Attack (EA) subsystems, ancillary equipment, and spares. Additional options, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of the contract to $783 million.

The latest in a series of incremental upgrades to the US Navy’s AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare system, SEWIP Block 3 integrates an advanced EA subsystem to the architecture of the existing AN/SLQ-32(V)6/SEWIP Block 2 electronic support system to create the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 configuration. The SEWIP Block 3 program also includes the government software development and integration effort for a soft-kill coordinator to manage EA engagements.

The SEWIP Block 3 technical solution adopts active electronically scanned arrays based on Gallium Nitride transmit/receive modules, and capitalizes on technology previously matured and de-risked under the Office of Naval Research’s Integrated Topside program. The Hemisphere configuration, with installations port and starboard, is designated for installation on DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers; the modified Quadrant configuration, using distributed and repackaged hardware building blocks, is slated for the Nimitz and Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships.