Lockheed Martin's AOEW System Successfully Tested on U.S. Navy MH-60R

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy have achieved a significant milestone in the development of the Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) system. The recent trial, conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, showcased the system's electronic attack capabilities while installed on a U.S. Navy MH-60R helicopter.

This trial marked a pivotal moment in the program's evolution as it demonstrated the AOEW system's ability to engage and deter threats effectively. Moreover, the integration with the MH-60R helicopter allowed for the quantification of system performance, providing crucial insights for further refinement.

The AOEW system, described as a pod-based electronic warfare missile defense system, offers enhanced electronic surveillance and attack capabilities against anti-ship missile threats. Notably, it empowers the navy to not only detect incoming threats but also respond proactively. The system works in tandem with a ship's onboard electronic surveillance sensors, detecting and evaluating incoming missiles, thus bolstering the defense mechanisms.

A key feature of the AOEW system is its open-system architecture, which enables seamless integration of future components, ensuring adaptability to evolving threats and reducing lifecycle costs. Deon Viergutz, vice president of Spectrum Convergence at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the system's "evolutionary capabilities," highlighting its programmability to deploy new techniques in response to dynamic threats. Viergutz stated, "The AOEW system is one of the most advanced, complex electronic warfare systems ever developed, serving as a force multiplier for our sailors, enabling them to dominate and control the battlespace without ever firing a single shot." 

Designed for integration with Aegis Baseline 9C.2+ and the Surface Warfare Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block II, the AOEW system can operate independently or collaboratively with other systems on ships and various assets. Its open-systems architecture allows for rapid upgrades, interoperability, and the prompt insertion of new hardware. Looking ahead, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy plan to conduct more tests and demonstrations of the AOEW pod on host platforms in 2024. The results will contribute to ongoing efforts to refine the system's performance. Currently under a low-rate initial production contract, deliveries of the first AOEW units are anticipated in the next year, signaling a significant leap forward in naval electronic warfare capabilities.