Several technological systems connected to provide an over-the-horizon threat detection capability during a demonstration Aug. 5-6 at Damn Neck, Va.
The combination of systems is designed to effectively warn Navy warfighters of threats. Navy and industry officials watched the systems successfully converge to produce a valuable new technological capability – a "systems-of-systems" – that can benefit Navy platforms such as the littoral combat ship (LCS) with an early warning capability.
"The integration of various capabilities to produce this over-the-horizon capability is a huge step forward for warfighters," said NSWC Dahlgren Division Commander Capt. Sheila Patterson. "It's the product of our partnership with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in our development initiatives and the involvement of warfighters to integrate their needs from the very beginning."
The Naval Expeditionary Overwatch (NEO) system combined with SeaLancet radios, AN/SPQ-9B radar and the Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) to send extended threat detection information to a control station for the expansion of the defensive perimeter - beyond a ship's on-board capabilities.
"NEO can pass the threat detection data back to platforms such as littoral combat ship," said NEO Project Manager Nelson Mills. "This demonstration drives home the critical value of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for surface warfare by extending the defensive envelope of ships and other command stations."
The NEO system is the integration of threat detection sensors and engagement systems onto both manned and unmanned platforms. ICMS integrates the sensors and weapons aboard LCS.
This over-the-horizon threat detection capability was made possible by combining the NEO USV intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors with the SeaLancet tactical radio, ICMS and the AN/SPQ-9B radar.
The SeaLancet radio communicates high-volume sensor data from multiple Navy platforms to distant tactical ships, such as the littoral combat ship. AN/SPQ-9B radar detects sea skimming missiles at the horizon even in heavy clutter while simultaneously providing detection and tracking of surface targets and beacon responses.
"NEO unmanned surface vessels broaden a ship's defensive perimeter and provides early warning for littoral surface warfare," said Frank Lagano, NSWCDD Deputy NEO Program Manager. "We did this by integrating warfighter requirements and working with our industry partners – including Northrop Grumman and Harris Corporation – to provide the final links that can bring this technology to warfighters on a grand scale."
During the two-day event, the USV successfully provided early threat detection from outside the defensive perimeter capabilities of a platform by using onboard sensors to pass radar tracks and video to ICMS and the NEO ground station at the Center for Surface Combat Systems.
This threat detection system provides warfighters with actionable information, real-time situational awareness and command and control processing such as track management, correlation, identification for weapon assignment.
J.J. Joyce (NNS)
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