Use of AN/SLQ-32A(V) electronic support data for ASCM engagement and situational awareness

The AN/SLQ-32A(V) Electronic Warfare System was designed to warn U.S. Navy ships of Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) attack by the early detection of missile seeker radio-frequency emission. The AN/SLQ-32A(V) reports the characteristics of the radiation, i.e., frequency and power, probable identification, etc., and these data can complement the radar track picture. The Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) installed on the LSD 41 class concurrently processes the data reported by AN/SLQ-32A(V), including probable identification, and the data reported from other sensors (radar) to increase ship survivability by supplying Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) the input it needs to perform optimally. RAM is a Navy resource for ship self-defense against ASCM attack. Algorithms developed at APL that effectively integrate AN/SLQ-32A(V) data into the SSDS weapons control function have been successfully demonstrated in live testing aboard the Self-Defense Test Ship and members of the LSD 41 class.