Raytheon has completed design, development and testing of its Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) system, which will be certified by the US Navy for the system’s first international installation onboard the Royal Australian Navy’s new guided missile destroyer (DDG) HMAS Hobart.
The CEC ‘sensor-netting’ system expands battlespace awareness by sharing sensor data among a network of other CEC-equipped ships and aircraft, improving task force effectiveness by enabling longer range, cooperative, or layered engagements.
“The addition of CEC is a major building block for Australia in their defence against anti-air warfare threats in the Pacific Region,” CEC major program manager USN Captain Jonathan Garcia said. “This delivery to Australia marks a significant first – expanding the CEC network globally and increasing the U.S. Navy interoperability with a valued, strategic ally.”
The equipment – certified hardware and software – will transfer to Australia for installation on HMAS Hobart, and NUSHIP Brisbane over the coming months, followed by an extensive integration, test and evaluation period. Raytheon will actively support CEC system integration and testing, including scheduled sea trials, similar to support provided for the USN fleet.
CEC is currently deployed on ships and land-based test sites, E-2C/D aircraft, and US Marine Corps network systems. Raytheon has been the USN’s CEC design agent for more than 30 years and the system continues to evolve, advancing capability and affordability through developments in core technologies.
Raytheon Australia managing director Michael Ward highlighted the significance of the US Navy move and said in practical terms, the installation of CEC could mean that the radars of Australia’s AWDs could be used to extend the eyesight of US Aegis equipped ships to shoot down the ballistic missiles of hostile nations.
“This is a profound statement by the US Navy of the importance of the Australian – US relationship and it also speaks to the regard in which that Raytheon is held by the USN as a trusted partner in the provision of this system.”
Ward said Raytheon would use the talents of its Sydney workforce to carry out the work on HMAS Hobart at Fleet Base East on Garden Island. In a recent announcement Raytheon will, as combat system integrator, support the DDGs during their initial maintenance period as a sub-contractor to Destroyer Enterprise managing contractor BAE Systems Australia; the company has also added 50 personnel to its Sydney based naval sustainment team.