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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

INTEGRATED SURFACE SHIP ASW COMBAT SYSTEM

	Navy ACAT IC Program 91 systems Total program cost (TY$) $3,647.9M Average unit cost (TY$) $40.087M Full-rate production 3QFY94 Prime Contractor Lockheed-Martin

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The AN/SQQ-89(V) is an integrated ASW combat system combining improved sensors and weapon control systems with advanced acoustic data processing and display. The system integrates the AN/SQS-53B/C hull mounted sonar, the AN/SQR-19(V) Tactical Towed Array Sonar and the AN/SQQ-28(V) LAMPS MK III Shipboard Electronics with the ASW Control System (ASWCS) MK 116 MOD 5/6/7/8/9 and supports the operational concepts of full-dimensional protection and precision engagement by providing long range detection, tracking, localization and correlation of surface and subsurface contacts and engagement of subsurface contacts via the ship's Combat Direction System or Command and Decision subsystem. Various combinations of the AN/SQS-53B/C, the AN/SQR-19(V), the AN/SQQ-28(V) and the MK 116 constitute the AN/SQQ-89 variants which are installed in the CG 47, DDG 51, DD 963 and DDG 993 classes. Combinations of the AN/SQR-19(V) and AN/SQQ-28(V) only are included in the AN/SQQ-89(V) variants which are installed in the FFG 7 class. The AN/SQQ89(V)6 is the baseline system for towed array ships and underwent OPEVAL in 1994.

The baseline AN/SQQ-89(V) system is in the process of being improved. The program office has developed COTS Engineering Changes to be back-fit into in-service ships and grouped them into three Block Upgrades as follows:

• Block I: Designated the "Torpedo Alertment Upgrade", it includes the installation of the Multi-Sensor Torpedo Recognition and Alertment Processor (MSTRAP) and operability improvements such as the System Level Recorder and associated Signal LAN (S-LAN), the Tactical Decision Support Subsystem (TDSS), a COTS based Sonar In-situ Mode Assessment system (SIMAS II) and a Common Integrated Tactical Picture (CITP) capability.

• Block II: Designated the "Shallow Water Upgrade", most ships that receive the BLK I upgrades will later receive these improvements. They include the Echo Tracker Classifier (ETC) for improved shallow water active SONAR classification capability and improvements to the system's On-Board Trainer.

• Block III: Designated the "Multistatic Upgrade", this capitalizes on the SQQ-89(V)15 forward fit investment and integrates a Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) replacement for the SQR-19B(V)1 to improve littoral water performance of the active SONAR as well as passive submarine and torpedo detection performance. Definition of this upgrade is still in progress.

SQQ-89 integrates individual and operationally tested major components. There are different configurations for each ship class, including DD-963, DDG- 993, FFG-7, CG-47, and DDG-51 FLT I/II/IIA. A description follows of each major component or subsystem.

The SQR-19 is a passive tactical towed array sonar which provides surface combatants with full azimuth, computer-aided, and long range capability to search for, detect, track, and classify subsurface contacts. IOT&E completed in 1982 and FOT&E in 1983; the SQR-19 is operationally effective and suitable.

The SQS-53C is a long-range, multi-mode sonar, designed to detect, classify, localize, and track submarines actively and passively. As tested in the FY89 IOT&E, the SQS-53C sonar was generally operationally effective in the active mode against deep water targets. Performance of the passive broad band and passive narrow band subsystems was similar to that of other hull-mounted sonars. However, the sonar represents a significant improvement over present active sonar aboard surface combatants. DOT&E submitted a B-LRIP report on the OT of the SQS-53C on April 25, 1989.

The SQQ-28 is the shipboard acoustic processor for the LAMPS MK III helicopter. OT&E of the SQQ-28 was part of the LAMPS MK III weapon system evaluation in 1982, and FOT&E occurred in 1987. The LAMPS MK III weapons system, with the SQQ-28, was operation-ally effective and operationally suitable.

The MK 116 ASW Control System (ASWCS) is a computer-based ASW contact management and weapon control system. It correlates multiple contacts received from acoustic sensors, acoustic and non-acoustic sensor data, and localizes contacts through automated and operator-assisted target motion analysis. ASWCS develops fire control solutions for ASW engagements and selects, presets, and launches ASW weapons, including over-the-side MK-46 or MK-50 torpedoes, and either a fixed-rail anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) missile or the vertical launch ASROC (VLA). There are five variants, differing by the ship and combat system they serve. IOT&E of the MK 116 MOD 5 ASWCS (the initial variant) completed in 1982 and was operationally effective and suitable. FOT&E of the remaining variants (MODs 6, 7, 8, and 9) will occur with each configuration of the integrated SQQ-89 system.

In FY90 DOT&E suggested the creation of a TEMP to operationally test the integrated SQQ-89 system with the first TEMP approved by OSD in 1991. OT-IIIB (FY91), land-based testing of the DDG-51 configuration, revealed interoperability problems. Limitations in the land-based configuration precluded conclusions about effectiveness. OT-IIID (FY92) demonstrated that the Aegis cruiser's system effectively supported battle group integration. Although operationally effective and suitable, software reliability of the cruiser variant was unsatisfactory. The OT-IIIE testing on board DDG-51 concluded that the AN/SQQ-89(V)4 was not operationally effective, but operationally suitable.

FOT&E (OT-IIIC) addressed the SQQ-89 variant on DD-963 class ships. Testing was conducted in four phases extending from October 1991 through April 1993. The focus of the four phases varied, including open ocean, battle group operations; small ASW task force operations; and individual ASW ship scenarios in both Pacific and Atlantic operating areas. OT-IIIC demonstrated the system's capability to support the ASW mission in the intended operating environment against threat-representative submarines and to conduct timely and effective search operations in the ASW and fleet support roles. Overall test results adjudged the AN/SQQ-89(V)3, the DD-963 configuration, as both operationally effective and suitable, although reliability was resolved as unsatisfactory.

OT-IIIF was completed in June 1994 in conjunction with platform level FOT&E of the DDG-51 class guided missile destroyer (discussed separately in this annual report under DDG-51). The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the operational effectiveness and suitability of the AN/SQQ-89(V)6 and verify correction of deficiencies discovered during the 1992 test (OT-IIIE) on USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG-51). Testing was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, HI. The test platform was USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG-54), with services provided by surface and sub-surface craft as well as ASW and tactical aircraft. Seven Mk 46 exercise torpedoes were launched. This test was in full compliance with the OSD-approved TEMP.

Overall, DOT&E determined the AN/SQQ-89(V)6 ASW combat system installed in the DDG-51 class ship to be operationally effective and operationally suitable. Major deficiencies discovered in the 1992 test were corrected and all Critical Operational Issues (COIs) were resolved. System software reliability exceeded revised thresholds, approved by the Navy after determination that previous thresholds were unrealistic. Survivability remains a concern. Although the SQQ-89(V)6, in conjunction with external ASW support forces, allowed only 7 successful counterattacks by the SSN out of 17 engagements, an erroneous conclusion might be drawn that adequate survivability is offered by the system, especially when the ship has made the tactical decision to employ active sonar. In fact, enhancements, many of which are planned, remain vital to improve the individual ship's ability to detect the enemy's submarine presence and evade his attack. Clearly, by adhering to the operational concept of survival and success through the synergy of surface and air ASW assets brought to bear against a target, a ship's survivability is enhanced. However, when faced with an attacking submarine in a one-on-one encounter, current systems do not afford a survivability advantage to the surface combatant.

OT-IIIF represented the most realistic and adeptly conducted surface ASW test to date, enabling a higher degree of confidence in results from scenarios much more indicative of actual threat operating profiles.

The current approved TEMP of June 1994 is being updated to reflect the evolving series of Block

upgrades to the SQQ-89 system. An operational assessment is currently scheduled for the summer of 1998 to evaluate the SQQ-89(V)6 Block I upgrade.

A standalone introductory version of MSTRAP underwent an OPEVAL at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, HI on July 9 and 10, 1997.

The introductory MSTRAP system was determined to be operationally effective for DD 963 class ships with the AN/SQQ-89 (V) 6 stand-alone system while employing the AN/SQR-19 towed array, but not operationally effective otherwise.

The recent establishment of a Test and Evaluation IPT and the preparation of a revision to the TEMP will ensure that adequate testing is conducted on the various SQQ-89 configurations and block upgrades.