Open-Architecture Ship Self-Defense System for US Navy

Raytheon Company, TEWKSBURY: Raytheon Company has been awarded a $16.9 million Naval Sea Systems Command contract to equip multiple surface ships with the open-architecture Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Mk 2. 
 
“SSDS provides the Navy with its first line of defense, the most advanced detect-to-engage capability to protect and defend the fleet,” said Upinder Dhinsa, vice president of Maritime Mission Systems at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). “The open architecture design delivers the flexibility, efficiency and affordability that can advance the Navy's vision for a common, interoperable allied fleet.” 
 
Raytheon IDS will produce SSDS Mk 2 equipment to be integrated onboard three different U.S. Navy platforms — the amphibious transport dock ship San Antonio (LPD 17), aircraft carrier Nimitz (CVN-68), and the amphibious assault ship Tarawa (LHA-6). 
 
SSDS Mk 2 recently completed one of a series of developmental and operational tests as part of a Ship Self Defense exercise for the LPD 17 ship class. Early results indicate that SSDS performed well, successfully tracking and prosecuting a stream of in-coming targets. 
 
Work on the contract will be a cooperative effort between employees at IDS' Maritime Mission Center, Portsmouth, R.I., and the Expeditionary Warfare Center, San Diego, Calif. 
 
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.  
 
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.