Combat-management system from Raytheon passes final developmental test on U.S. Navy ship
NewsJune 04, 2019
TEWKSBURY, Mass. Raytheon and the U.S. Navy report that the final developmental test of the latest generation of the Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) integrated combat system (ICS) was performed off the coast of California by the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in which the Navy's Unmanned Self Defense Test ship simulated a scenario CVN 78 may encounter once deployed.
During the test, two anti-ship missile surrogate targets were located, classified, tracked, and engaged by the SSDS Integrated Combat System, which was adapted for use aboard CVN 78. According to Raytheon documents, the system consists of dual-band radar, which searched for, located, and tracked the targets; the radar then enabled uplink and radar illumination to the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile to support missile guidance. The system's Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) validated and processed the dual band radar data for SSDS, providing a single, integrated air picture by fusing data from multiple sensors to improve accuracy. The system then processed the CEC data, classified the targets, determined the appropriate engagement ranges, passed launch commands to the interceptor missiles, and scheduled dual band radar support for the engagements; which enabled the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile and Rolling Airframe Missile to then successfully engage and defeat both targets using live and simulated interceptors.
"This successful dual-target test demonstrates the maturity of the Ship Self Defense System ICS and paves the way for operational testing to begin," said Mike Fabel, Raytheon's SSDS program manager. "SSDS is a critical capability that enables CVN 78 to defend herself and her crew against current and emerging threats."
