Performance clears path for US Navy operational testing
Raytheon Company and the US Navy completed the final developmental test of the latest generation of the Ship Self Defense System, or SSDS, Integrated Combat System for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The test was conducted off the coast of California from the Navy's unmanned Self Defense Test Ship simulating a scenario CVN 78 may encounter once deployed.
During the raid scenario exercise, two anti-ship missile surrogate targets were located, classified, tracked and engaged using the SSDS Integrated Combat System adapted for CVN 78.
"This successful dual-target test demonstrates the maturity of the Ship Self Defense System ICS and paves the way for operational testing to begin," said Mike Fabel, Raytheon's SSDS program manager. "SSDS is a critical capability that enables CVN 78 to defend herself and her crew against current and emerging threats."
The Raytheon Ship Self-Defense System ICS includes:
The Ship Self-Defense System ICS for CVN 78 has now successfully engaged three of three targets over the course of its first two test exercises.