US Navy Looks for Innovative Ship Defense

Oct. 30, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(US Naval Sea Systems Command; issued Oct. 25, 2012)

Navy to Release Draft SSDS RFP

The Navy plans to release a draft request for proposal (RFP) to innovate and integrate new warfighting technologies into the Navy's existing Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS), Oct. 31.

SSDS is a combat system that integrates sensors and weapons to provide an automated quick response to multiple targets in littoral environments, and is currently installed or will be installed in six classes of amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. For the first time, since SSDS was built and integrated by Raytheon in 1997, new work will be open to competition.

"This is an exciting opportunity for companies to cost-effectively integrate new warfighting capabilities, interoperability and training improvements," said Capt. Mike Ladner, major program manager for the SSDS integrated combat systems in the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS). "We are looking for the best minds that can help us solve that challenge."

The draft RFP will be offered to qualified companies that can integrate both a new electronic warfare sensor and existing radar sensors into SSDS.

“We need this competition to keep our combat system relevant," Ladner said. "We are committed to finding the most advanced, reliable and affordable self-defense capability for our sailors and Marines onboard amphibious ships and aircraft carriers."

Ladner said the final RFP is planned to be released in March 2013, with a contract award expected in June 2014. The Navy is using an approach similar to the one used for the Aegis Weapon System Combat System Engineering Agent competition. The Aegis Weapon System was built and managed by Lockheed Martin for more than 40 years and was competed for the first time last year.

"This competition is not just about an acquisition process, but more importantly, it's about providing an opportunity for technological creativity and innovation to take center stage in developing the best warfighting capability to address our current and emerging threats at an affordable price," Ladner said. "The Navy will engage in a unique partnership with the company that is chosen. Together, we'll work to protect not only the lives of our sailors who depend on using this technology, but keep our country safe and Americans out of harm's way."

PEO IWS, an affiliated program executive office of the Naval Sea Systems Command, manages surface ship and submarine combat technologies and systems, and coordinates Navy enterprise solutions across ship platforms.