SPOTLIGHT: Raytheon Electronic Systems

By GORDON I. PETERSON, Senior Editor

Sea Power: The Navy is placing greater emphasis on integrating shipboard systems. How does Raytheon approach design requirements in this area?

Swanson: Through programs like the LPD 17 [San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock] and the DD 21 [Zumwalt-class destroyer], we are successfully meeting the government's growing requirements for total-system solutions on board ships. We have established top-level systems-integration teams to assess the customer's needs, to put standardized processes in place, and to evaluate four fundamental aspects of engineering and design: the ability to transfer technologies between platforms and systems, our ability to evaluate subsystem requirements thoroughly, basic configuration management, and, ultimately, affordability. We also place prime importance on forging strong, positive working partnerships with our teammates--whether in the customer or subcontractor community--in order to give the customer total-systems solutions. It is essential for us to work effectively across our entire enterprise, throughout the company, as new mission requirements continue to emerge.

What key enabling technologies are needed to improve shipboard system integration and optimum interoperability across the entire battle force?

Key technologies in both ship-system integration and interoperability are those that effectively combine and leverage commercial information technologies such as service-based architectures, web-based interfaces, and standards-based middleware. Additionally, we are working with various standards committees in the Department of Defense and industry to assist in the maturation of High Level Architecture and Joint Vision 2010.

Development of the Standard Missile-3 [SM-3] is a key part of the Navy Theater Wide [NTW] system for defense against medium- and long-range ballistic missiles. What is the status of the SM-3 program today?

The NTW program is in a program definition/risk reduction [PD/RR] phase called AEGIS LEAP Intercept [ALI]. The ALI program is focused on demonstrating the ability to intercept medium- and long-range theater ballistic missiles [TBMs] with a theater-wide interceptor.

The program has had two successful flight tests. The first, CTV-1A, successfully demonstrated high-altitude flyout and third-stage separation. The second test, FTR-1A, successfully demonstrated a number of performance requirements. These included high-altitude flyout, third-stage separation, third-stage two-pulse rocket motor operation and third-stage guidance, nose cone separation, LEAP Kinetic Warhead [KW] seeker acquisition and track of a TBM target, and LEAP KW separation. The next test, which will be a target fly-by, is planned for later this year.

Why is the DD 21 land-attack destroyer considered to be a significant technological revolution in ship design compared to earlier generations of surface-combatant warships?

Everything about DD 21, from its hull design to its weapons and communications systems, uses leap-ahead technologies that will enable the U.S. Navy to prevail in combat at sea, attain littoral maritime dominance, and deliver precise land-attack weapons at long range. With the ability to counter air, ground, surface, and sub-surface threats simultaneously with unsurpassed lethality and volume of fire, crews on the DD 21 will be fighting with greater assurances than ever before that they will get home safely.

One of the new long-range precision land-attack weapons systems now under development is the extended-range guided munition [ERGM]. Have the technical challenges encountered during the development of this munition been resolved satisfactorily?

The ERGM program, which was rebaselined last year with the December 2000 signing of a modified contract, is on track. The ERGM team is now conducting developmental tests, and it is confident that ERGM will meet an early fiscal year 2005 IOC [initial operational capability].

What key trends will most significantly influence the defense electronics industry during the next decade?

The future needs of the warfighter clearly require the development and deployment of network-centric products and applications to support mission requirements. Today's platforms will be redesigned in ways that will enable them to function as nodes in a much broader, fully integrated electronic-communications network. This trend will affect defense electronics products that support various mission requirements­from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to missile-defense missions.