Lockheed Martin [LMT] and partner Raytheon [RTN] have chosen against protesting a Navy decision last month to award Northrop Grumman [NOC] a contract for the production of third block upgrade to a ship-based electronic warfare system known as SEWIP, a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman said Monday.
Northrop Grumman won the Feb. 12 award that could reach a total value of $267 million if all options are exercised for the upgrade to the AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare system that detects and jams threats at sea. The upgrades are taking place under the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program, or SEWIP.
“We respect the U.S. Navy’s decision regarding the SEWIP Block 3 contract, and do not plan on protesting the award,” a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman said in a written statement.
Lockheed Martin is the incumbent on the SEWIP block 2 upgrade. The block 3 contract given to Northrop Grumman covers the preliminary design for the AN/SLQ-32(V)Y.
The AN/SLQ-32 system was originally produced by Raytheon.
The SEWIP upgrades are meant to employ open architecture approaches to allow for more rapid technology insertion, according to the Navy, with a focus on block 3 to increase electronic attack capabilities.
The SEWIP capability is being installed on Navy cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.