Anti-air Warfare Defence Technology for Australian Navy

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 HMAS Hobart, CEC will expand the ship’s battlespace awareness by sharing sensor data among a network of other Australian and allied CEC-equipped ships and aircraft. CEC is a real-time ‘sensor-netting’ system that brings together radar data into a single integrated air picture from geographically dispersed ships, aircraft and ground-based units. This integrated picture improves task force effectiveness by enabling longer range, cooperative, or layered engagements. The CEC benefits from advancements in commercial and specialised technologies, as well as from the experience and expertise the Raytheon team has gained through more than 30 years as the US Navy’s CEC Design Agent.

The equipment - certified hardware and software - will be transfered to Australia for installation on HMAS Hobart (DDG39), and NUSHIP Brisbane (DDG-41) followed by an extensive integration, test and evaluation period. Raytheon is to actively support CEC system integration and testing, including scheduled sea trials, similar to support provided for the US Navy fleet. Enhancing the capabilities of US forces, CEC is currently deployed on ships and land-based test sites, E-2C/D aircraft and US Marine Corps network systems.