Submarine Tactical Warfare Systems

Mission — Submarine Tactical Warfare Sys source

Effective FY 2026, Projects 0770 and 1739 move from PE 0603562N to PE 0603561N as part of the PE/BLI consolidation effort in the DoD Implementation Plan from the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform Final Report in an effort to rapidly increase Navy Lethality in the Submarine and Surface Fleet. This Program Element (PE) addresses advanced submarine technology areas in support of the Navy's strategic objective of Assured Access and Combat Credibility. All projects funded in this PE are non-Acquisition Category (ACAT) programs. PROJECT 0770 - The Advanced Submarine Support Equipment Program (ASSEP) objective is to improve submarine operational effectiveness through the implementation of advanced Research and Development (R&D) efforts focused on advanced Imaging and Electronic Warfare (EW) support. A continuing need exists to improve these capabilities in view of the advancements in imaging counter-detection, the need to support specialized missions, and the increasingly dense and sophisticated electronic environment caused by the proliferation of complex radar, communications, and navigation equipment of our adversaries. Ongoing developments include improved antennas, tethered buoy, 360-degree imaging systems, and electro-optic infra-red (EO/IR) vulnerability signature reduction technologies. This project also supports the development of changes internal to submarine platforms to integrate the Submarine Tethered Expendable Buoy (STEB). This integration will provide a communications path to and from the buoy bringing buoy sensor data into the submarine combat system to improve situational awareness and tactical control while maintaining a covert posture. PROJECT 1739 - The Submarine Arctic Warfare Development Project is aligned to Commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC), Detachment Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL). This Project provides the U.S. Navy Submarine Force (SUBFOR) a cadre of trained Arctic Operation Specialists (AOS) and an inventory of unique Arctic sensors that are installed to optimize submarine safety during under-ice operations. AOS personnel assigned from ASL embark on submarines that deploy to the Arctic, cold water and iceberg regions, and marginal ice zones (MIZ) in northern latitudes of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and are advisers to the Commanding Officer. ASL is a shore facility at Naval Base Point Loma with the infrastructure capable of supporting personnel and equipment to conduct the submarine Arctic Warfare Development mission. Improvements and life-cycle expenditures to the facility and warehousing are made as necessary to support the mission. The Submarine Arctic Warfare Development Project, via ASL, responds to the increased threat of naval activity in the Arctic regions while continuously supporting the Navy's strategic objective of Assured Access and Combat Credibility. ASL provides a unique capability that enables the SUBFOR to satisfy the requirements laid out in the Arctic Maritime Homeland Defense Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). ASL and SUBFOR demonstrate existing Arctic Warfare capabilities and operational and tactical proficiency while developing advanced submarine technology in unique cold-water environments, in under-ice conditions, and in ice-covered shallow water regions through the Ice Exercise (ICEX) program that includes Operation Ice Camp. ICEX places an emphasis on submarine operability and mission capability in the world's harshest maritime environment. Efforts include assessment of combat system effectiveness, weapons testing, use of High Frequency (HF) sonars in Arctic regions, testing of ice-capable submarine structures, and development of class-specific Arctic operational guidelines. Tactical Development (TACDEV) is conducted biennially and requires up front comprehensive planning and work-up training, as well as post exercise analysis and reporting. ICEX provides the framework for various submarine test and evaluation efforts in Arctic regions and at periodic Ice Camps. The ICEX program represents DoD's only drifting ice station capability through Operation Ice Camp. Emphasis during Operation Ice Camp is placed on the areas of sonar operability, tactical surveillance, weapon utility, and other submarine support missions. A Torpedo Exercise (TORPEX) occurs every four (4) years in order to meet minimum Fleet requirements of exercise torpedo (EXTORP) firings in the Arctic. A TORPEX requires a significantly higher level of logistics, personnel, and infrastructure to account for the recovery and transportation efforts of the EXTORPs. The ICEX Program also includes Arctic Exercise (ARCEX), a biennial exercise that rotates with the biennial Operation Ice Camp drifting ice camps, that includes Arctic operations to support ice camp equipment evaluation, systems development, extreme cold weather training, drifting sea ice and scientific research.

Mission — Adv Sub Supp Equip Prog source

A continuing need exists to improve Imaging and Electronic Warfare (EW) support capabilities in view of the advancements in potential imaging counter-detection and the increasingly dense electromagnetic environment caused by the proliferation of complex radar, communications, and navigation equipment of potential adversaries. Improvements are necessary for submarine Imaging and EW to be operationally effective in the following mission areas: Joint Littoral Warfare, Joint Surveillance, Space and Electronic Warfare, Intelligence Collection, Maritime Protection, and Joint Strike. This project will concurrently consider both Imaging and EW domains as improved mast systems are designed. The evaluation of state-of-the-art technology to implement periscope/mast improvements via EW electromagnetic and electro-optic sensors results in improved capability. Engineering Development Models (EDMs) are developed, evaluated, and validated in the lab and through at-sea testing. This project is a non-Acquisition Category (ACAT) program. The test articles identified consist of critical components that will be fully developed during Engineering Manufacturing and Development phase into EDMs. Software-based capabilities in Imaging and/or EW domains that will process inputs from improved masts may be integrated and tested within this project.

Mission — Submarine Arctic W/F Development source

The Submarine Arctic Warfare Development Project provides the U.S. Navy Submarine Force (SUBFOR) a cadre of trained Arctic Operation Specialists (AOS) and an inventory of unique Arctic sensors that are installed to optimize submarine safety during under-ice operations. AOS personnel assigned from ASL embark on submarines that deploy to the Arctic, cold water and iceberg regions, and marginal ice zones (MIZ) in northern latitudes of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and are advisers to the Commanding Officer. ASL is a shore facility at Naval Base Point Loma with the infrastructure capable of supporting personnel and equipment to conduct the submarine Arctic Warfare Development mission. Improvements and life-cycle expenditures to the facility and warehousing are made as necessary to support the mission. The Submarine Arctic Warfare Development Project, via ASL, responds to the increased threat of naval activity in the Arctic regions while continuously supporting the Navy's strategic objective of Assured Access and Combat Credibility. ASL provides a unique capability that enables the SUBFOR to satisfy the requirements laid out in the Arctic Maritime Homeland Defense Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). ASL and SUBFOR demonstrate existing Arctic Warfare capabilities and operational and tactical proficiency while developing advanced submarine technology in unique cold-water environments, in under-ice conditions, and in ice-covered shallow water regions through the Ice Exercise (ICEX) program that includes Operation Ice Camp. ICEX places an emphasis on submarine operability and mission capability in the world's harshest maritime environment. Efforts include assessment of combat system effectiveness, weapons testing, use of High Frequency (HF) sonars in Arctic regions, testing of ice-capable submarine structures, and development of class-specific Arctic operational guidelines. Tactical Development (TACDEV) is conducted biennially and requires up front comprehensive planning and work-up training, as well as post exercise analysis and reporting. ICEX provides the framework for various submarine test and evaluation efforts in Arctic regions and at periodic Ice Camps. The ICEX program represents DoD's only drifting ice station capability through Operation Ice Camp. Emphasis during Operation Ice Camp is placed on the areas of sonar operability, tactical surveillance, weapon utility, and other submarine support missions. A Torpedo Exercise (TORPEX) occurs every four (4) years in order to meet minimum Fleet requirements of exercise torpedo (EXTORP) firings in the Arctic. A TORPEX requires a significantly higher level of logistics, personnel, and infrastructure to account for the recovery and transportation efforts of the EXTORPs. The ICEX Program also includes Arctic Exercise (ARCEX), a biennial exercise that rotates with the biennial Operation Ice Camp drifting ice camps, that includes Arctic operations to support ice camp equipment evaluation, systems development, extreme cold weather training, drifting sea ice and scientific research.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)