Ship Missile Support Equipment

The Ship Missile Support Equipment program, managed by the Navy, focuses on enhancing missile systems on naval vessels. This initiative involves procuring and installing equipment for systems like the AEGIS Weapons System, Ship Self Defense System (SSDS), and Vertical Launch Systems (VLS). The goal is to meet fleet requirements by ensuring these systems are ready to counter current and emerging threats. Efforts include upgrading existing systems, integrating new technologies, and ensuring interoperability across platforms.

A key objective is modernizing the NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System (NSSMS), essential for ship self-defense against threats such as anti-ship cruise missiles and fast attack craft. Modernization efforts involve replacing outdated components with new technology to enhance performance and reliability. There is also a focus on integrating these systems into a broader combat system architecture to improve situational awareness and threat response capabilities.

The program emphasizes developing and deploying Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers. These launchers provide high firepower against anti-air warfare threats without relying on ship-based fire control systems. The plan includes hardware upgrades and new installations on various ship classes, including destroyers and aircraft carriers, to ensure robust terminal defense capabilities against advanced missile threats.

Additionally, the Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) is undergoing significant upgrades to transition to a new Computing Infrastructure (CI). This transition aims to improve processing power, reduce obsolescence issues, and support future capability expansions. The SSDS integrates multiple sensors and weapons systems for comprehensive defense against air and missile threats. Support includes both shipboard installations and shore-based test sites to maintain readiness and operational effectiveness across the fleet.