Raytheon Delivers First Open Architecture Ship Self Defense System Mk 2

Released on Monday, July 14, 2008

TEWKSBURY, Mass., July 14, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed the first delivery of its open architecture Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Mk 2 hardware configuration for installation onboard the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Following warfare system integration and interoperability testing, Raytheon delivered the hardware two weeks ahead of schedule.

Raytheon's Ship Self-Defense System is an open, distributed combat management system for carriers and expeditionary warfare ships. It is designed to expedite the detect-to-engage sequence to defend against anti-ship cruise missiles. SSDS links and automates standalone sensors and weapon systems to provide the required combat reaction.

Designed to meet the Navy's Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Open Architecture Computing Environment standards, Raytheon's SSDS Mk 2 is the first fleet use of this open architecture software that leverages some of the Total Ship Computing Environment Infrastructure developed for the Zumwalt-class destroyer. The open architecture design adds a new level of flexibility and commercial standards to support the Navy's goal for open, modular and interoperable combat management systems for the fleet.

"SSDS is proven and effective in testing against multiple missile threats, expediting the threat-detection to weapon-engagement chain," said Greg Black, Raytheon's director of Seapower Defense Systems.

SSDS is currently fielded on four classes of aircraft carriers and expeditionary ships -- LSD, CVN, LPD and LHD -- and will be available on LHA-class ships in the future. SSDS also provides the backbone of the track management capability for the Marine Corps' Common Aviation Command and Control System, extending across services and to the littoral battlefield.

Concurrent with this delivered hardware upgrade, the ship will receive a software upgrade that includes integration of the improved capabilities of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile and adaptive engagement control, enhancing the ship's defensive capabilities for multiple missile engagements.

Raytheon received a $16 million production contract in June 2007 to equip multiple surface ships with the open-architecture SSDS Mk 2 variant. In addition to the USS Nimitz, the SSDS Mk 2 configuration is being built for the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 6). Work is currently being performed at Raytheon's Seapower Capability Center, Portsmouth, R.I., and the Expeditionary Warfare Center, San Diego, Calif.