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Aegis Modernization Program

Executive Summary
• The Navy is modernizing the Aegis Weapon System (AWS)
installed on Baseline 3 USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) class
cruisers and the Flight I USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)
destroyers to the AWS Advanced Capability Build 2012
(Baseline 9A and 9C, respectively). New construction DDGs,
beginning with USS John Finn (DDG 113), will be equipped
with Baseline 9C as well.
• In September 2014, the Navy completed cruiser integrated air
defense and Undersea Warfare developmental and operational
testing on USS Normandy and USS Chancellorsville. Data
from these tests will supplement data from the dedicated
operational test in FY15.
• During developmental testing, a BQM-74E anti-ship cruise
missile (ASCM) target drone struck USS Chancellorsville.
The time required to repair the ship delayed the start of cruiser
operational testing, originally planned for 4QFY14, until
2QFY15. • The AWS, carried on DDG 51 guided missile destroyers
• The lack of an adequate modeling and simulation (M&S) and CG 47 guided missile cruisers, integrates the following
suite of the Aegis Combat System, as well as the lack of an components:
Aegis‑equipped Self-Defense Test Ship (SDTS) where the - AWS AN/SPY-1 three-dimensional (range, altitude, and
ship’s full self-defense kill chain can be tested, precludes azimuth) multi-function radar
assessment of the Baseline 9 Probability of Raid Annihilation - AN/SQQ-89 Undersea Warfare suite that includes the
(PRA) requirement. AN/ SQS-53 sonar, SQR-19 passive towed sonar array
• The Navy will not fully assess Aegis Integrated Air and (DDGs 51 through 78, CGs 52 through 73), and the
Missile Defense (IAMD) until a validated M&S test bed SH-60B or MH-60R Helicopter (DDGs 79 Flight IIA
is developed and validated. The test bed is planned to be and newer have a hangar to allow the ship to carry and
available by 2020, but there is no agreed upon strategy to maintain its own helicopter)
validate the model to support assessment of the close-in, - Close-In Weapon System
self-defense battle space. A limited IAMD assessment will - Five-inch diameter gun
be made during Baseline 9C operational testing on DDGs. - Harpoon ASCMs (DDGs 51 through 78, CGs 52
One live firing event is planned to include live firing of through 73)
Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and SM-3 missiles against threat - Vertical Launch System that can launch Tomahawk
representative targets in an IAMD engagement. land‑attack missiles, Standard surface-to-air missiles,
• During developmental testing in June 2014, the Navy Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles, and Vertical Launch
successfully conducted three, at-sea live fire tests of the Anti-Submarine Rocket missiles
Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air From-the-Sea • The AWS on Baseline 3 USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) class
(NIFC-CA FTS) Increment I capability. The Navy will field cruisers and Flight I USS Arleigh Burke destroyers is being
the NIFC-CA FTS Increment I capability when it deploys the upgraded to Baseline 9A and 9C, respectfully. Baseline 9 will
first E-2D and Aegis Baseline 9-equipped Carrier Strike Group provide the following new capabilities:
in FY15. NIFC-CA FTS Increment I has demonstrated a basic - Full SM-6 integration
capability, but its effectiveness under operationally realistic - IAMD to include simultaneous Air Defense and Ballistic
conditions is undetermined. Missile Defense missions on Aegis destroyers equipped
with the new Multi-Mission Signal Processor
System - NIFC-CA FTS capability
• The Navy’s Aegis Modernization program provides updated - Starting with USS John Finn (DDG 113), the AWS on
technology and systems for existing Aegis guided missile new construction Aegis guided missile destroyers is
cruisers (CG 47) and destroyers (DDG 51). This planned, Baseline 9C
phased program provides similar technology and systems for
new construction destroyers.

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Mission Major Contractors

The Joint Force Commander/Strike Group Commander • General Dynamics Marine Systems Bath Iron
employs AWS-equipped DDG 51 guided missile destroyers and Works – Bath, Maine
CG 47-guided missile cruisers to conduct: • Huntington Ingalls Industries (formerly Northrop Grumman
• Area and self-defense Anti-Air Warfare in defense of the Strike Shipbuilding) – Pascagoula, Mississippi
Group • Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and
• Anti-Surface Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare Sensors – Moorestown, New Jersey
• Strike Warfare when armed with Tomahawk missiles
• Offensive and defensive warfare operations simultaneously
• Independent operations or with Carrier or Expeditionary Strike
Groups, as well as with other joint or coalition partners

Activity
• In June 2014, the Navy successfully conducted assessments to inform Navy and OSD leadership, as well as
three NIFC‑CA FTS Increment I engineering demonstration Congress, on the progress of test and evaluation of the IAMD
tests on USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). Although not part of mission area.
a DOT&E-approved test plan, DOT&E observed and collected • Until an Aegis-equipped SDTS is available for testing, it is
performance data on the NIFC-CA FTS Increment I capability. neither possible to characterize the self-defense capabilities
• The Navy successfully conducted the Baseline 9A Cruiser of the Aegis cruisers and destroyers, nor possible to accredit
integrated air defense and Undersea Warfare developmental an M&S suite to determine if the ships satisfy their PRA
and operational testing on USS Normandy (CG 60) and requirements.
USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) in accordance with the • The Navy’s FY14 NIFC-CA FTS Increment I events were
DOT&E‑approved test plan. Data from these tests will sufficient to demonstrate basic capability; however, these
supplement data from the dedicated operational test in FY15. demonstrations were not conducted under operationally
• During developmental testing, a BQM-74E ASCM target realistic conditions or against aerial targets representative of
drone struck USS Chancellorsville (CG 62). The time modern threats. Additionally, the executed scenarios were
required to repair the ship delayed that start of operational not sufficiently challenging to demonstrate the NIFC-CA
testing, originally planned for 4QFY14, until 2QFY15. requirements defined in the Navy’s September 2012 NIFC-CA
• Aegis Destroyer Baseline 9C dedicated operational testing is Testing Capability Definition Letter.
scheduled for FY16. • Combined Aegis Baseline 9 and SM-6 FOT&E test events to
• The Navy conducted Baseline 9A cybersecurity operational date have been successful with no integration issues revealed.
testing onboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) in The Navy plans to conduct six SM-6/Baseline 9 test flights in
November and December 2014. FY15.
• The Navy’s Aegis Baseline 9A cybersecurity testing revealed
Assessment significant problems, which are classified. The nature of these
• Baseline 9A and 9C testing completed to date is not sufficient problems is such that they could pose significant risk to the
to support an assessment of operational effectiveness or cybersecurity for the FY15 deployment.
suitability before the first ship deploys in FY15. Operational
testing is planned to continue throughout FY15/16. Upon the Recommendations
decision to deploy Baseline 9A in FY15, DOT&E will submit • Status of Previous Recommendations. The Navy has not
an Early Fielding Report. addressed two of the three previous recommendations. The
• The Navy will not fully assess Aegis IAMD until a validated Navy still needs to:
M&S test bed is developed and validated. The test bed 1. Continue to improve Aegis ships’ capability to counter
is planned to be available by 2020, but there is no agreed high-speed surface threats in littoral waters.
upon strategy to validate the model to support assessment 2. Synchronize future baseline operational testing and
of the close-in, self-defense battle space. A limited IAMD reporting with intended ship-deployment schedules to
assessment will be made during Baseline 9C operational ensure that testing and reporting is completed prior to
testing on DDGs. One live firing event managed by the deployment.
Missile Defense Agency is planned to include live firing of • FY14 Recommendations. The Navy should:
SM-2 and SM-3 missiles against threat representative targets 1. Continue to develop an end-to-end M&S suite of the
in an IAMD engagement in FY15. Aegis Combat System that may be used, in conjunction
• As appropriate, and until the full capability may be with operationally realistic testing conducted on an
operationally tested, DOT&E will provide periodic capability

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Aegis- equipped SDTS, to assess the PRA requirements of 4. Continue to improve Aegis ship’s capability to counter
the Aegis cruisers and destroyers. high-speed, surface threats in littoral waters.
2. Provide the necessary funding to support the procurement 5. Submit, for DOT&E approval, a Test and Evaluation Master
of an Advanced Air and Missile Defense Radar and Plan that describes and resources adequate operational
Aegis-equipped SDTS that is needed to support Aegis testing of future NIFC-CA FTS increments before such
Modernization, Advanced Air and Missile Defense Radar, capabilities are deployed.
DDG 51 Flight III, and Evolved SeaSparrow Missile 6. For Baseline 9A, develop and deploy necessary
Block 2 operational testing. cybersecurity corrective actions and verify correction with a
3. Characterize Aegis Baseline 9A/C and soon-to-be-deployed follow-on operational cybersecurity test.
NIFC-CA FTS Increment I capability against operationally
realistic ASCM threats as soon as possible.

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