Lockheed Martin has secured a $113 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command for the full-rate production of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 AN/SLQ-32(V)6 and AN/SLQ-32C(V)6 systems. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Japan under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, modifying a previously awarded SEWIP contract to accommodate additional production needs.
The order for Japan represents the first international sale of this advanced shipboard electronic warfare system, enhancing Japan’s capabilities as a key ally in the Western Pacific. By acquiring SEWIP, Japan gains access to the same state-of-the-art system that the U.S. Navy employs, significantly improving shipboard capabilities and interoperability with U.S. forces.
“The SEWIP program has proven critical for the U.S. Navy in the early detection of threats,” said Deon Viergutz, vice president of Spectrum Convergence at Lockheed Martin Rotary & Mission Systems. “With this first purchase in Japan, we are setting the stage to continue to expand this key technology around the globe for an improved network of electronic surveillance, enabling U.S., allied, and partner forces to continue to evolve and outpace modern threats.”
Lockheed Martin has collaborated with the U.S. Navy on the development and production of SEWIP Block 2 for over 13 years, resulting in the production of more than 130 units. Work on this new contract will take place in Liverpool, New York, and Lansdale, Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of October 2026.
SEWIP Block 2 enhances the Navy’s surface fleet with improved anti-ship missile defence and situational awareness. The system is currently deployed on numerous Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers and will be incorporated into nearly all U.S. Navy surface combatants, including both classes of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard will benefit from SEWIP Block 2 capabilities on its Offshore Patrol Cutters.
The SEWIP Block 2 system provides early detection, analysis, and threat warnings against anti-ship missiles, allowing surface ships to protect themselves based on invisible radio frequency signatures. Transitioning from development to full-rate production in September 2016, the Lockheed Martin SEWIP Block 2 system significantly advances capabilities for protecting sailors and the fleet, offering expanded frequency coverage, increased sensitivity, advanced electromagnetic interference protection, lower life cycle costs, and a scalable open architecture.
