The critical design review (CDR) for the Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) has been approved, meaning it can now proceed into manufacture, testing and acceptance.
Part of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP), which will provide an enhanced defensive capability against anti-ship missiles, MEWSIC increment 1 is managed by DE&S and being developed by prime contractor Babcock International with Elbit Systems UK.
Once operational, MEWSIC will allow for increased detection and identification of radar signals over a greater range than currently possible. This will aid faster operational decision-making, enhanced situational awareness and improved ship protection.
MEWSIC will see the next generation of Radar Electronic Support Measure (RESM) and EW Command and Control (EWC2) equipment being installed on Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers, and the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates being built at Govan and Rosyth shipyards, respectively, in Scotland.
The GBP 100 million, 13-year contract awarded to the industry consortium in 2021 is supporting around 170 jobs and also includes on-shore facilities delivering training, trials and acceptance.
“Our dedicated team is playing a central role in taking a next-generation electromagnetic warfare solution from concept to installation – and we are pleased to have achieved this significant milestone,” said Neal Misell, Chief Executive of Babcock Missions Systems.
“We are immensely proud to have achieved this milestone, to have created a number of high-tech jobs, and to have established a UK EW capability for the Royal Navy, and look forward to the next phase of this project,” commendet Martin Fausset, CEO Elbit Systems UK.
Babcock and Elbit Systems UK have both invested significantly in their people and infrastructure, helping to deliver UK prosperity by generating and sustaining new high-value technology engineering jobs across the UK.
The multi-disciplinary MEWSIC team includes engineers and project managers from Babcock collaborating with Elbit Systems UK’s employees at its new assembly, integration and test facility in Bristol.
