Sub Periscope, Imaging and Supt Equip Prog

The Sub Periscope, Imaging and Support Equipment Program is a critical line item in the Navy's FY 2026 budget, supporting the modernization, procurement, and sustainment of submarine imaging, periscope, and electronic warfare systems. The program's overarching goal is to equip all classes of U.S. submarines with advanced electromagnetic systems, including imaging, electronic warfare (EW), and radar capabilities. These enhancements are intended to improve navigation safety, collision avoidance, and tactical effectiveness in high-intensity littoral environments. The program is managed under the Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWFTS) model, which ensures cooperative development and synchronized installation of interdependent tactical systems across the fleet.

PL010 Imaging ISIS Technical Insertion funds the procurement and engineering of Technical Insertion (TI) kits, installation support, and spares to upgrade the Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS) on LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, VIRGINIA, OHIO SSGN/SSBN, and COLUMBIA Class SSBN platforms. The objective is to enable rapid capability insertion and avoid obsolescence, with a particular focus on supporting advanced imaging and early warning capabilities included in Low Profile Photonics Mast (LPPM), Type 20, and Type 24 masts. This line item also includes one-time upgrades for mast compatibility, such as improved copper-fiber optic diploops and hull penetrators. These upgrades are essential for future sensor integration and maintaining the SWFTS model's synchronized modernization cycles.

PL011 Imaging Upgrades: Type 8/Type 18 addresses reliability, capability, and maintainability improvements for submarine periscopes and imaging equipment. Specific upgrades include enhancements to the eyepiece box, mechanical hoisting mechanisms, inboard electronic processing hardware, and integrated logistics support. This line also funds the procurement of Infrared (IR) Collision Avoidance Systems for SSBN (OHIO) Class submarines. These systems are designed to increase situational awareness and safety during operations at periscope depth, particularly under low visibility conditions.

PL025 Low Profile Imaging Mast supports the procurement, technical insertion, and sustainment of advanced low profile imaging masts for VIRGINIA and COLUMBIA Class submarines. The program aims to maintain adequate quantities of installed and spare photonics masts, as well as provide special support tooling and test equipment for regional repair centers. Mast Capability Enhancements (MCE) and System for Non-Acoustics Control of Signatures (SNACS) are also funded to introduce sensitive mast technologies that improve tactical operations and reduce the risk of counter-detection. These efforts support evolving fleet requirements.

ML007 CADF (Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding) focuses on replacing legacy analog direction-finding systems with server-based, digital solutions integrated with the AN/BLQ-10 EW system. This upgrade addresses increasing failures and obsolescence in the ICADF system and facilitates more rapid and cost-effective software-based enhancements to submarine EW capabilities. CADF procurement and installation are synchronized with other SWFTS subsystems to ensure consistent modernization across the fleet, except for SSBN (OHIO) Class, which does not participate in EW upgrades.

ML012 AN/BLQ-10 Technical Insertion funds the procurement and backfit of the AN/BLQ-10 EW system for LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, VIRGINIA, and COLUMBIA Class submarines, beginning with TI-20. The objective is to maintain EW superiority through hardware and software updates that pace emerging threats and fully align EW capabilities with the SWFTS model. Non-recurring engineering costs are separated from shipset procurement to optimize lifecycle management and ensure the system meets the requirements outlined in the EW Capability Development Document (CDD).

ML017 AN/BLQ-10 Field Change Kits provides product improvement kits for the AN/BLQ-10 subsystem, supporting emergent engineering changes, reliability and maintainability upgrades, and sustainment of deployed EW assets. This line item also funds the procurement of Multifunction Modular Mast (MMM) payloads, Submarine Tethered Expendable Buoys (STEB), Automated Range Finder (ARF) collision avoidance systems, and Mission Configurable Bay (MCB) updates for Virginia Class submarines. These efforts collectively enhance submarine safety, communications, and tactical flexibility, ensuring that fleet priorities and emerging operational requirements are addressed through ongoing modernization.