Navy to install shipboard computers, networking, and cyber security aboard aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy

March 13, 2024
CANES will replace existing afloat computer and networking infrastructure for applications, systems, and services for tactical cyber warfare.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – U.S. Navy shipboard electronics experts will supervise the installation of shipboard computers and networking equipment aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) under terms of a $37.5 million order announced Monday.

Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair in Newport News, Va., are asking the Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding division in Newport News, Va., for the detail design and construction of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) outfitting effort onboard the Kennedy.

CANES will consolidate and replace existing afloat networks and networking infrastructure for applications, systems, and services for tactical cyber warfare, and will upgrade cyber security, command and control, communications and intelligence systems afloat, and replace unaffordable and obsolete networks.

Related: Naval Sea Systems seeks to unify cyber security efforts for information transfer and shipboard networks

The primary goals of the CANES program are to provide a secure afloat network for naval and joint operations; consolidate afloat networks using a common computing system; mature cross-domain computer technologies; reduce the size, training requirements, and logistics for shipboard networking; and increase reliability, security, interoperability, and application hosting.

Eight computer and networking companies are competing to provide computers, networking, and cyber security hardware and software through 2032. The companies are BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc. in Rockville, Md.; Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics in Johnstown, Pa.; Global Technical Systems in Virginia Beach, Va.; L3Harris Technologies C5 Integrated Systems in Camden, N.J.; Leidos in Reston, Va.; Peraton in Herndon, Va.; Serco in Herndon, Va.; and VTG Milcom in Virginia Beach, Va.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding is the prime systems integrator for the Kennedy, as well as for the Navy's Nimitz- and Ford-class aircraft carriers. The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) in San Diego is in charge of the CANES computer hardware and software acquisition.

Related: Raytheon to provide NMT secure SATCOM for shipboard communications and computer networks $63.5 million deal

CANES serves as the bridge to the future of Navy afloat networks, consolidating existing legacy and stand-alone networks, providing infrastructure for tactical applications, systems, and services, Navy officials say. CANES will consolidate and modernize shipboard network systems to improve operational effectiveness and affordability across the fleet.

CANES delivers its capabilities within one system, bringing infrastructure that will enable timely and interoperable information exchange among tactical, support, and administrative users, applications, and computer systems.

On this order Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding will do the work in Newport News, Va., and should be finished by July 2025. For more information contact Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding online at https://hii.com, the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair at www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/SUPSHIP, or the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command at www.navwar.navy.mil.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor-in-Chief

John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.

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