The US Navy has awarded a $12.3 million contract to defense contractor Leonardo DRS for new tactical network equipment for surface warships and carrier-based aircraft.
As part of the agreement, the company will build and install AN/USG-2B and AN/USG-3B systems and identify replacement components for the service’s tactical sensor and weapons network, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).
The CEC is designed to enhance the anti-air warfare capability of naval ships, aircraft, and composite tracking network units. The network enhances overall situational awareness, allowing fleet commanders to coordinate closely to strike enemy forces from long range.
The DRS Laurel Technologies segment of Leonardo DRS will perform the work for the contract in Largo, Florida. Production is expected to be complete by March 2023.
The AN/USG-3 and AN/USG-2 Systems
Serving as the airborne designation of CEC, the AN/USG-3 will operate in large geographical areas to produce tactical pictures for naval battle groups at sea. It will also be deployed on E-2C and E-2D carrier-based radar surveillance aircraft.
The AN/USG-2 system will be installed on the navy’s surface warships. It distributes sensor data from cooperating units through a “real time” fire control sensor and engagement data distribution network.
The system also features engagement decision, cooperative sensing, engagement execution, and data distribution capabilities, enabling anti-air warfare sensors and weapons to function as one distributed system.