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AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite

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TheAN/SLQ-32is a shipboardelectronic warfaresuite built by theRaytheon CompanyofGoleta, CaliforniaandThe Hughes Aircraft Company.[1]It is currently the primary electronic warfare system in use byU.S. Navyships.[2]Its operators commonly refer to it as the "Slick-32".[3]

AN/SLQ-32(V)3 aboardUSSLake Erie.

Variants

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AN/SLQ-32(V)1 aboardUSSBowen.

The SLQ-32 was originally conceived in the 1970s to augment the AN/WLR-1, which had been in service since the early 1960s. It was later determined to save costs to replace the various WLR-1 series suites with the SLQ-32 as a stand-alone system. As originally designed, the SLQ-32 was produced in three variants, the (V)1, (V)2 and (V)3. Later in its service life, additional versions were built, the (V)4 and (V)5. Today, (V)6 and (V)7 versions are in production. The Air Transport Rack sized processors were supplied byROLM Mil-Spec ComputersinSan Jose, California.

  • AN/SLQ-32(V)1– A simple threat warning receiver. It was capable of receiving low frequency, high-bandradarsignals of the type commonly emitted byanti-ship missileterminal guidance radars and long-range surveillance radars.[4]The (V)1 was installed on auxiliary ships and small combatants likefrigates.This variant of the system was phased out as equipped ships became decommissioned.
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)2– Initially the most common variant, the (V)2 expanded on the (V)1's capabilities with new receiving antennas for increased radio frequency coverage. It added the ability to detect high frequency targeting and fire-control radars, providing early warning against an imminent anti-ship missile attack.[4]The (V)2 was installed onfrigates,destroyers,and 270-foot (82 m)Coast Guard cutters.Many (V)2 suites have been upgraded to (V)3.
AN/SLQ-32(V)2 aboardUSSDonald B. Beary.
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)3– The (V)3 added antennas with electronic attack capability, able to actively jam targeting radars and anti-ship missile terminal guidance radars.[4]The (V)3 was installed on various combatants such as destroyers,cruisers,battleships,large amphibious ships, and high-value replenishment vessels. (V)3 systems are currently being replaced with (V)6.[5]
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)4– Designed for installation onaircraft carriers,[4]the (V)4 consisted of two (V)3 systems, one for each side of the ship, tied to a common computer and display console. Additional line replaceable units and software were added to support the wide separation of the two antenna/electronics enclosures. (V)4 systems will be replaced with (V)6.[5]
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)5– The (V)5 was built as a response to theStarkincidentin 1987. The (V)5 system incorporates a compact version of the (V)2 system along with an active jamming module—referred to as "Sidekick" —to theOliver Hazard Perry-class frigates,which were too small to carry a full (V)3.[4]
    (V)5 suite aboardPFG-1112,consisting of a compact (V)2 (top) and Sidekick jammer (bottom).
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)6– Part of the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP). (V)6 provides enhanced electronic support capability through upgraded antennas and open combat system interface. It is made up of the SEWIP Block 1B2, SEWIP Block 1B3, and SEWIP Block 2, which provide specific emitter identification (SEI), high gain high sensitivity (HGHS), and electronic support (ES), respectively. (V)6 is currently in full-rate production for installation on the latestArleigh Burke-class destroyersand for retrofit on existing ones, replacing their existing SLQ-32 equipment.[6][5]
SEWIP Block 2, part of the SLQ-32(V)6, aboardUSSPorter.
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)7– Adds onto (V)6 with the SEWIP Block 3, which upgrades electronic attack (EA) capability. As of 2022, it is in low-rate initial production.[6]Select DDG Flight IIA vessels will receive AN/SLQ-32(V)7 as a part of the USN DDG MOD 2.0 program.[7]USSPinckney(DDG-91) is the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to receive the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 upgrade.[8]

All versions of the SLQ-32, with the exception of the (V)4, are interfaced with theMk 36 Decoy Launching System,able to launchchaffandinfrareddecoys under the control of the SLQ-32. A growing number of systems are being upgraded to incorporate the Australian-designed Mk 53Nulkadecoy launching system.[4][8]

The original modular design was intended to allow upgrades of the system from one variant to the next by simply installing additional equipment as required. Starting in the early 1990s, a program was begun to upgrade all SLQ-32s in the U.S. fleet. Most (V)1 systems were upgraded to (V)2, and most (V)2 systems were upgraded to (V)3. This was normally carried out during a major ship overhaul.

SEWIP Block 2 was tested onUSSFreedomin December 2014,[9]and as of 2022, the latest U.S. destroyers are fitted with (V)6. In 2023, USSPinckneybecame the first destroyer fitted with SEWIP Block 3.[8]

Contract

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AN/SLQ-32 console aboardUSSIowa,1984.

The initial procurement process was built around a “design to price” concept in which the final delivery cost per system was fixed in the contract. The SLQ-32 was designed to support the protection of ships against anti-ship missiles in an open sea environment. After initial deployment of the system, naval roles began to change requiring ships to operate much closer to shore in denser signal environments. This change in roles required changes to the SLQ-32 systems which were added over time. With experience gained working with the SLQ-32, coupled with improvements to the hardware and software, technicians and operators gradually overcame the initial problems. The SLQ-32 is now the mainstay of surface electronic warfare in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard's WMEC 270-foot (82 m)-class ships.

Future

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AN/SLQ-32(V)7 engineering development model.

In 1996, a program called theAdvanced Integrated Electronic Warfare System(AIEWS) was begun to develop a replacement for the SLQ-32. Designated the AN/SLY-2, AIEWS reached the prototype stage by 1999, but funding was withdrawn in April 2002 due to ballooning costs and constant delays in the projects development. It has since been replaced with Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP), which will replace the existing SLQ-32 hardware and technology in an evolutionary fashion.[10]As of September 2013,SEWIP Block 2 upgrades were first installed onArleigh Burke-class destroyersin 2014, with full-rate production scheduled for mid-2015.[11]Block 2 improved detection capabilities; better jamming is planned from 2017, but the2013 sequestration cutsmay push this date back a year.[12]

As of November 2023, SLQ-32(V)7 (SEWIP Block 3) is undergoing low-rate initial production and being retrofitted on Flight IIAArleigh Burke-class destroyers, replacing their existing SLQ-32 equipment.[6][5]A future SEWIP Block 4 with electro-optic and infrared detection capabilities has been proposed.[10]In September 2023, the first SEWIP Block 3 was fielded onUSS Pinckney.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"SLQ-32(V) – Archived 10/2000".Archived fromthe originalon 22 April 2018.Retrieved22 April2018.
  2. ^"USN Ship Protection: From" Slick 32s "to SEWIP".Defense Industry Daily.30 November 2020.Retrieved3 November2022.
  3. ^"NSWC Crane Electronic Warfare Employees Provide Expertise for Virtual Training System".Naval Sea Systems Command.17 February 2021.Retrieved3 November2022.
  4. ^abcdef"AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare (EW) system".man.fas.org.Retrieved1 November2022.
  5. ^abcd"Department of Defense: Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget Estimates"(PDF).Secretary of the Navy.Retrieved27 November2022.
  6. ^abc"SEWIP / AN/SLQ-32(V) Electronic Warfare System Overview & Program Status"(PDF).Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems. 13 January 2022.Retrieved1 November2022.
  7. ^"Navy Destroyer Modernization Program Could Cost $17B, Take Up to 2 Years Per Hull".USNI News.2023-02-01.Retrieved2023-06-29.
  8. ^abcTrevithick, Joseph (2023-09-22)."Navy Destroyer Looks Significantly Different After Major Upgrade".The Drive.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-10-01.Retrieved2023-11-10.
  9. ^"U.S. Navy Evaluates Electronic Warfare Improvement Program for Littoral Combat Ships".navyrecognition.Navyrecognition. 23 November 2014.Retrieved24 November2014.
  10. ^ab"Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP)".navy.mil.Retrieved1 November2022.
  11. ^"CNO's Position Report: 2014"(PDF).US Navy. 4 November 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 22 January 2015.Retrieved26 November2014.
  12. ^Greenert, Admiral Jonathan(18 September 2013)."Statement Before The House Armed Services Committee On Planning For Sequestration In FY 2014 And Perspectives Of The Military Services On The Strategic Choices And Management Review"(PDF).US House of Representatives.Retrieved21 September2013.
  13. ^Trevithick, Joseph (2023-09-22)."Navy Destroyer Looks Significantly Different After Major Upgrade".The Drive.Retrieved2023-11-08.
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