Northrop Grumman demonstrated a scaled-down electronic attack system prototype during the US Navy’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise last year.
The company demonstrated key components of the future Ultra-Lite Electronic Attack (EA) Prototype System aboard a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
Northrop developed the anti-ship missile defense system for smaller ships that cannot carry larger systems due to space and power constraints.
Lessons for the Future
Additional concept demonstrations are being conducted this month.
“This at-sea demonstration proves Northrop Grumman’s future low-size, weight, and power, scaled EA solution can effectively support US Navy missions,” Northrop maritime electronic warfare advanced solutions director Monta Harrell said.
“The lessons learned from the RIMPAC exercise provide real-world insights into our low-risk architectural solution for smaller ships that will revolutionize EA for the US Navy.”
Lockheed’s EA System
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin also demonstrated its scaled-down electronic attack system prototype, Scaled EA, at RIMPAC 2022.
The system is based on Lockheed’s Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare system and the navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program.
The system is easy to install and operate, requiring no additional personnel.
“A lot of this has been driven by the way we fight these days versus, before we’d see them in groups, [carrier strike groups], but now, when you get into joint all-domain, every ship is part of a larger conglomerate [and they] tend to be more spread out,” director of maritime and air cyber/electronic warfare at Lockheed Joseph Ottaviano was quoted as saying.
“You’ve got to have something that gives you the capability to participate in that joint all-domain, but also give you the capability to provide effects that help your own ship in the fight.”