Multi-Function Electronic Warfare/Electronic Support (MFEW/ES)
The purpose of the MFEW TD program is to define, develop and demonstrate for the Navy an operationally effective and suitable Electronic Warfare (EW) system for future surface combatants including DDG 1000, CVN-21, CG(X) and possibly LCS. Incorporation into the upgrade of the existing AN/SLQ-32(V) series is also envisioned. The design utilizes a modular, open systems approach developed in concert with the surface Navy community and can also support backfit applications across a wide variety of platforms. The Northrop Grumman MFEW design utilizes digital receiver technology and advanced processing to detect and classify a wide variety of signal types to meet operational requirements in a tactically relevant environment.
The MFEW system will provide improved performance in the areas of Specific Emitter Identification (SEI), Precision Direction Finding (PDF), High Probability of Intercept (HPOI), signal classification, effectiveness in dense threat environments, and ability to react to rapid response threats. The MFEW ADM system must also demonstrate provisions for future growth such as frequency extension above and below the current specified frequency range, addition of Electronic Attack (EA), and support for high gain antenna inputs required to process low power emitters.
MFEW will provide many operational improvements over the legacy system in that it will be able to operate effectively in severe RF interference and multi-path environments and provide wider spatial coverage and instantaneous bandwidth with enhanced receiver sensitivity levels to support pulse analysis. MFEW provides longer detection ranges and quicker response times for detection of the hostile emitters prior to detection of own ship, and supports combat system integration of hard and soft kill responses. MFEW will also provide enhanced emitter classification as well as specific emitter identification to enable platform correlation, weapon to target pairing, Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) development and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) functions.