AN/BLQ-10(V): Submarine Electronic Warfare Support for the 21st Century

Mr. William PhelpsDeputy Assistant Program Manager for Electronic

WarfareSubmarine Sensor Systems Program Office

(PMS435)

2

NUWCNPT

NSWCOPNAVN77

CORE

ONI

SSEP Teams

COMSUBLANT

COMSUBPAC

NUCLEUS

FAMILY

NRL

CNSG

BAE

APL/JHU

EDO-RSS

SenSyTech

AT&T

Team Submarine

NAWC

SSC, San Diego

PMS435

“EW TEAM”

Maximizing Team Involvement to Provide EW SolutionsMaximizing Team Involvement to Provide EW Solutions

Argon Engineering

Lockheed Martin

NSA

Syracuse Research

EB/NNS

Echotech

Mercer

3

Legacy System Challenges

• Based 1960s – 1970s Technology– Signal processing/frequency coverage do not meet

challenges of modern signal environment• Not Based on Modern, Open Architecture

– Technology insertion is not easily accomplished• Separate, Independent Systems for Each

Function– Radar Wideband Threat Warning, Radar Narrowband

Intercept/Analysis, Communications ES, …• No Integrated Display/Operator Position

– Separate operator positions for each system – not collocated

AN/BRD-7

AN/BRD-7Antenna

AN/WLR-8with ADF

• Not An Integral Part of Submarine Combat System– ES Operator does not have the overall tactical picture– Information not presented in geographic context

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Old Paradigm“Stovepipes”

• Electronic Warfare Support Not Integral Part of Combat System– No Interface to Combat Control System– All Communications Passed Verbally From ES Operator to Combat

Control Operator• Unique Carry-on Equipment (COE) Installed for Special Missions

– Independent Development and Procurement Programs for Similar Applications – Technology Not Shared Between Organizations

• Getting Information Off the Ship is a Challenge– Limited Submarine ES Contribution to Battle Group or Task Force

• Sailors Successfully Meeting Operational Requirements, BUT …– Operating Multiple Systems Without Computer Assistance– Not an Integral Part of Ship’s Tactical Picture

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Imaging MastDF Array

RadarNarrowbandSubsystem

CommunicationsSignal Acquisition& DF Subsystem

RadarWidebandSubsystem

OperatorWorkstation

OperatorWorkstation

Gat

egua

rd

Periscope Radar SignalDF Unit

Ship Network• Combat• ECS• Navigation• Sonar

ES Network

Meeting the Challenge

Solution –• An Open Architecture, Fully Integrated Modular and Scalable Radar & Communication

Signal Intercept, Identification, and Direction Finding (DF) System• Cooperative Developments and Technology Sharing With Carry-on Community

Radio Frequency Distribution

Imaging MastOmnidirectional

Antennas Comms DF Antenna

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CADF Antenna Periscope

Ship

’s Ne

twor

k

Signal Distribution (VIRGINIA Class)

Radar WidebandRadar Narrowband with Specific Emitter Identification (SEI)

Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding Subsystem (CADF)

Control and Display (C & D)

RF

ECS

COE

System LAN (Fast Ethernet)

Signal Simulator

RF

Control

Tech Insertion

RF From ECSRadio Frequency Signal Distribution Unit

ICS

Ship Systems

GALE Lite

Passive Surveillance Radar

(PSR)

ES Vulnerability Server (EVS)

Operator Workstation

ECS – Exterior Communications System COE – Carry-on Equipment ICS – Interior Communications System

AN/BLQ-10(V) Architecture

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AN/BLQ-10(V) System Overview

• Fully Integrated and Expandable Radar & Communications Signal Intercept, ID, and DF

– Developed for VIRGINIA Class– Variants for LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, SSGN, and

TRIDENT – Radar Intercept and ID Only

• Open System Architecture– Transitioning to Maritime Cryptologic Architecture

• NDI/COTS Based Integrated System Design– 93% NDI Software / 75% NDI Hardware

• Secure Interface to Architecture/Combat Control

• Developments Coordinated With Carry-on Community

– Cooperative Leveraging of Technology– Shared Infrastructure to Reduce Total Ownership Cost

• Installations Include Rack Space and Hotel Services for Carry-on Equipment

– Reduce cost and crew impact of pre-deployment load-out

AN/BLQ-10(V)1 - VIRGINIA Class Variant

AN/BLQ-10(V)2 - SSN 688 Backfit Variant

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FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06

VIRGINIA-Class

LOS ANGELES-Class

OHIO-Class

FY07

Installation21

SEAWOLF-Class

688

730

AN/BLQ-10(V)2

WLR-8

BLQ-10

AN/BLQ-10 / WLR-8B

CADF InsertionBLQ-10

AN/BLQ-10(V)3

BLQ-10

AN/BLQ-10(V)5

774

SSN774 COATSdelivery

AN/BLQ-10(V)1

BLQ-10

BRD-7

WLR-8

BRD-7

WLQ-4SEAWOLFClassComplete

SSGN-Project

726 BLQ-10AN/BLQ-10(V)4WLR-8

Road Map to Commonality

Synchronized Tactical and Carry-On Equipment Baselines andConnectivity via Implementation of AN/BLQ-10

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AN/BLQ-10(V) Installations

AN/BLQ-10(V)1 OnUSS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760)

AN/BLQ-10(V)1 Installed On USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774)

AN/BLQ-10(V)2 Installed OnUSS TUCSON (SSN 771)

Four Installations Completed To DateTwo Extended Deployments Completed

10AN/BLQ-10(V)1

AN/BSD-2 IEM AntennaAN/BVS-1 Photonics &

AN/BSD-2 IEM Antenna

AN/BVS-1Work Station

VIRGINIA Class

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Early Warning Receivers

Type 18BAN/BRD-7Antenna

SUBIS

Type 8B

AN/BRD-7Receiver

AN/BLQ-10(V)2

AN/WLR-8(V)2With HPI/ADF

Interface ImprovementSSN 688 Baseline

SSN 688 ES Backfit

OR

LOS ANGELES Class

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Early Warning Receivers

AN/BRD-7Antenna

Type 18HType 8J

SEAWOLF Class Transitioning to AN/BLQ-10(V)3Started FY02

Complete FY05AN/BLQ-10(V)3

AN/WLQ-4(V)1 & AN/BRD-7 Receiver

SEAWOLF Class

SUBIS

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Early Warning Receivers

Type 15LType 8J

AN/WLR-8(V)5

OHIO Class

POM-04 Issue Paper For Transition to AN/BLQ-10(V)5

AN/BLQ-10(V)5

Modernization Alternative

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Early Warning Receivers

Type 15LType 8J

AN/WLR-8(V)5

SSGN Project

POM-04 Issue Paper For Transition to AN/BLQ-10(V)4

AN/BLQ-10(V)4

Modernization Alternative

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Technology Insertion:AN/BRD-7 Replacement

• Replaces Obsolete AN/BRD-7– Improves tactical capability– Leverages VIRGINIA Class and Carry-on Community

technology and system developments– Exploits AN/BLQ-10(V) open, modular architecture

• Automated acquisition and identification of communications band signals

– Direction Finding for communications signals• Subsystem of AN/BLQ-10(V)2/3 SSN 688/SSN 21

Backfit System– Provides interfaces to support carry-on equipment

• Coordination With Carry-on Community Provides– Decreased development– Reduced support and infrastructure costs

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Technology Insertion:PSR/EVS

• Passive Surveillance Radar (PSR)– Non-cooperative bistatic radar– Provides ability to detect and track targets

using radar transmitters of opportunity– At-sea demonstration and testing

performed 1999 – 2002– AN/BLQ-10 integration planned for

FY03/FY04

• ES Vulnerability Server (EVS)– Counterdetection vulnerability

assessment based on signal environment and antenna exposure

– Provides optimum platform position for surveillance operations

– AN/BLQ-10 integration planned for FY03/FY04

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SUMMARY

• AN/BLQ-10 Provides Submarines With Modern ElectronicWarfare Support Capabilities

• Modular Open Architecture Provides a Foundation for theFuture

• Cooperative Efforts Are Breaking Down OrganizationalBarriers to Success Providing:

Improved System PerformanceRapid Technology InsertionReduced Support Costs