Ship Self Defense (Engage: Soft Kill/EW)

Ship Self Def (Engage: Soft Kill/EW) encompasses various initiatives aimed at enhancing the Navy's ship self-defense capabilities through electronic warfare (EW) systems. The program includes the development and integration of the Soft Kill Coordination System (SKCS) with AEGIS Baseline 9 and 10, as well as efforts to improve signal throughput and system reliability. Additionally, the program supports the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3, which aims to provide an enhanced Onboard Electronic Attack (EA) capability to improve Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) and counter-targeting. Furthermore, the program includes the Offboard Active Decoy (Nulka) program, which is a joint cooperative effort between the United States and Australia to counter radar-guided Anti-Ship Missiles (ASMs) by radiating a large radar cross-section while flying a ship-like trajectory.

The program also encompasses the Long Endurance Electronic Decoy (LEED) initiative, which aims to deliver an expendable long endurance autonomous off-board decoy countermeasure system to address fleet requirements for countering ASM threats. Moreover, the Advanced Offboard EW (AOEW) program focuses on developing long-duration off-board decoys integrated with onboard systems for EW coordination to counter identified EW gaps. These efforts are critical in response to an urgent operational need from the Fleet that has been approved by the Chief of Naval Operations for execution. Additionally, SEWIP Block 3 is developing an advanced EA capability to keep pace with evolving ASMD threats and counter targeting required for the AN/SLQ-32(V) system. The FY24 budget request supports these initiatives by funding continued development, testing, integration, and procurement activities.

Overall, Program PE 0604757N aims to enhance ship self-defense capabilities through the development and integration of advanced electronic warfare systems and decoy technologies. These efforts are essential for improving situational awareness, countering ASM threats, and enhancing overall shipboard electromagnetic warfare capabilities.