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

Mr. William Phelps Deputy Assistant Program Manager for Electronic Warfare Submarine Sensor Systems Program Office (PMS435)

EW TEAM
FAMILY
SSEP Teams NSA NUWCNPT CNSG EDO-RSS Lockheed Martin AT&T Syracuse Research Team Submarine BAE Argon Engineering Mercer COMSUBPAC ONI OPNAV CORE PMS435 N77 COMSUBLANT NSWC NAWC EB/NNS APL/JHU

NUCLEUS

SSC, San Diego

NRL

Echotech SenSyTech

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

Legacy System Challenges

AN/BRD-7 Antenna

Based 1960s 1970s Technology

Signal processing/frequency coverage do not meet challenges of modern signal environment Technology insertion is not easily accomplished

Not Based on Modern, Open Architecture

Separate, Independent Systems for Each Function

Radar Wideband Threat Warning, Radar Narrowband Intercept/Analysis, Communications ES, Separate operator positions for each system not collocated

AN/WLR-8 with ADF

No Integrated Display/Operator Position

AN/BRD-7

Not An Integral Part of Submarine Combat System

ES Operator does not have the overall tactical picture Information not presented in geographic context

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 Ships Tactical Picture

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
Imaging Mast Omnidirectional Antennas

Imaging Mast DF Array

Comms DF Antenna

Periscope Radar Signal DF Unit

Radio Frequency Distribution

Radar Wideband Subsystem Gateguard

Radar Narrowband Subsystem

Communications Signal Acquisition & DF Subsystem

Ship Network Combat ECS Navigation Sonar

ES Network
Operator Workstation Operator Workstation

AN/BLQ-10(V) Architecture
CADF Antenna Signal Simulator
RF

Periscope

ECS COE

Signal Distribution (VIRGINIA Class)

Radio Frequency Signal Distribution Unit

Control

RF From ECS

RF

Tech Insertion Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding Subsystem (CADF) Radar Narrowband with Specific Emitter Identification (SEI) Radar Wideband
ES Vulnerability Server (EVS) Passive Surveillance Radar (PSR) GALE Lite

Ships Network

Control and Display (C & D)

System LAN (Fast Ethernet)

ICS Ship Systems

Operator Workstation

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

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

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

Road Map to Commonality

FY00
WLR-8

FY01
688

FY02

FY03

FY04

FY05

FY06

FY07
BLQ-10

CADF Insertion AN/BLQ-10 / WLR-8B

LOS ANGELESClass

AN/BLQ-10(V)2 BRD-7

WLQ-4

21
AN/BLQ-10(V)3

SEAWOLF-Class
BRD-7

Installation

SEAWOLF Class Complete

BLQ-10

SSN774 COATS delivery

VIRGINIA-Class

774
AN/BLQ10(V)1

BLQ-10

WLR-8

730
AN/BLQ-10(V)5

BLQ-10

OHIO-Class

WLR-8

726
AN/BLQ-10(V)4

BLQ-10

SSGN-Project

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

AN/BLQ-10(V) Installations

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

AN/BLQ-10(V)1 Installed On USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) AN/BLQ-10(V)2 Installed On USS TUCSON (SSN 771)

Four Installations Completed To Date Two Extended Deployments Completed

VIRGINIA Class

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

AN/BSD-2 IEM Antenna

AN/BVS-1 Work Station

AN/BLQ-10(V)1

10

LOS ANGELES Class

Type 8B Type 18B AN/BRD-7 Antenna

AN/BRD-7 Receiver

OR

Early Warning Receivers

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

AN/WLR-8(V)2 With HPI/ADF Interface Improvement SSN 688 Baseline

SUBIS 11

SEAWOLF Class
Type 8J Type 18H AN/BRD-7 Antenna

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

Early Warning Receivers

SEAWOLF Class Transitioning to AN/BLQ-10(V)3 Started FY02 Complete FY05

AN/BLQ-10(V)3

SUBIS 12

OHIO Class
Type 8J Type 15L

AN/WLR-8(V)5 Modernization Alternative AN/BLQ-10(V)5

Early Warning Receivers

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

13

SSGN Project
Type 8J Type 15L

AN/WLR-8(V)5 Modernization Alternative AN/BLQ-10(V)4

Early Warning Receivers

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

14

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

15

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 Electronic Warfare Support Capabilities Modular Open Architecture Provides a Foundation for the Future Cooperative Efforts Are Breaking Down Organizational Barriers to Success Providing:
Improved System Performance Rapid Technology Insertion Reduced Support Costs

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