ASW Support Equipment

The ASW Support Equipment program, detailed in Navy Budget Line Item (BLI) 5429, is designed to procure, upgrade, and sustain critical Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) support systems for both submarine and surface fleet operations. The goal is to ensure the operational effectiveness, safety, and reliability of ASW capabilities across multiple Navy platforms. This line item encompasses three major program areas: Submarine Weapons Launching and Handling Support Equipment, Surface ASW Support Equipment, and ASW Range Support Equipment. Each area addresses specific needs related to procurement, modernization, and support of ASW systems, with funding allocated to address obsolescence, enhance performance, and maintain fleet readiness.

Submarine Weapons Launching and Handling Support Equipment focuses on providing modifications and improvements to the weapons launching, stowage, and shipping systems for SSN 688, SSBN 726, and SSN 21 class submarines. The objectives include upgrading torpedo tube system components, test equipment, and fire control interfaces in response to new or modified weapons and sensors. Funding supports reliability, maintainability, safety, and tactical improvements identified through operational experience. The program also covers engineering change proposals, ordnance alterations (ORDALTs), and installation management services, ensuring that submarine weapon systems remain compliant with evolving operational and safety standards.

Surface ASW Support Equipment provides for the procurement and fielding of safety modifications to ASW Fire Control systems, Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT), and related support and test equipment. The program is managed through the ORDALT process, which adapts to shipboard configurations and equipment age. Key objectives include maintaining the performance envelope of surface ASW systems, upgrading the MK 432 Test Set Torpedo Presetter (TSTP) to support new digital fire control interfaces, and retrofitting legacy sonar sounding sets with the next-generation AN/UQN-10 Sonar Sounding Set Fathometer. The program also funds production engineering, acceptance testing, consulting services, and installation efforts to ensure that surface combatants are equipped with reliable and interoperable ASW systems.

ASW Range Support Equipment is dedicated to the procurement of self-propelled and towed surface targets, underwater tracking equipment, and instrumentation for fleet training and test ranges. The program's goals are to provide realistic threat replication and feedback for ASW exercises, support operational readiness accuracy checks, and enable acoustic trial range activities. Funding supports the acquisition of High-Speed Maneuverable Surface Targets (HSMST), Seaborne Powered Targets (SEPTAR), Fast Attack Craft Targets (FACT), Low-Cost Modular Targets (LCMT), and Polyethylene Tow Targets (PETT). The program also finances upgrades to tracking and measurement systems, such as the Surface Ship Radiated Noise Measurement (SSRNM) and Underwater Tracking Range Equipment (UTRE)/Pinger programs, as well as the Secure Autonomous Data Link for Undersea Warfare (SADL-UP) initiative.

AN/UQN-10 Sonar Sounding Set Fathometer is a specific line item within the ASW Support Equipment budget, intended to replace legacy AN/UQN-4/4A systems on DDG51, CVN, and amphibious platforms. The objective is to improve reliability, maintainability, and operational availability while reducing support costs and addressing obsolescence. The program includes non-recurring engineering for acoustic communications upgrades, conversion of non-program of record fathometers, and integration of the TR-355 transducer. Installation is managed through Alteration Installation Teams (AIT), with comprehensive logistics support and qualification testing to ensure seamless fleet adoption. The AN/UQN-10 system provides enhanced depth measurement capabilities, digital readouts, and data logging for operational and reconstruction purposes.

Across all program areas, the ASW Support Equipment line item supports integrated logistics, engineering, and product improvement activities. Production engineering and product improvement efforts are consolidated to comply with Navy Audit Readiness and to address obsolescence issues in weapons and target pinger systems. Funding also covers replenishment spares, consulting, and installation management, ensuring that ASW support equipment remains available and effective for fleet operations. The FY 2026 budget reflects realignments and reductions to promote efficiency and comply with government-wide cost-saving initiatives.