Upgraded Aegis Weapon Systems operational on two U.S. Navy cruisers

Posted by Courtney E. Howard

MOORESTOWN, N.J., 10 Sept. 2010. The U.S. Navy, supported by Lockheed Martin, has completed Combat System Ship Qualification Trials for upgraded Aegis Combat Systems installed aboard two Navy ships. The Navy determined that the Aegis Combat Systems aboard the cruisers, USS Mobile Bay and USS Philippine Sea, are operational. As part of the cruiser modernization program, the ships’ computer suites were upgraded with enhanced technical data collection capability and radar data display systems, as well as a new digital fire control interface between the anti-submarine warfare control system and the vertical launch system.

During the trials, the ships' Aegis Combat Systems were evaluated for combat-readiness through surface, subsurface, and anti-air warfare exercises, including manned raids and electronic attack scenarios, as well as thorough testing of the systems' tactical data link and air defense capabilities.

"Lockheed Martin continues its legacy of working with the Navy to evolve the Aegis system," says Jeff Bantle, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Surface-Sea Based Missile Defense Systems. "We take great pride in our partnership as the Aegis Platform System Engineering Agent and look forward to using our experience to increase program affordability."

The Aegis Weapon System includes the SPY-1 radar, an advanced radar system. When paired with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, it is capable of delivering missiles for every mission and threat environment in naval warfare.

The Aegis Weapon System is deployed on 93 ships around the globe.



The USS Mobile Bay and the USS Philippine Sea are both Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers.