AN/SLQ-32

The AN/SLQ-32 is one of the most important shipboard electronic warfare systems developed by the United States Navy, designed to provide a critical layer of defense against the growing threat of anti-ship missiles. Since its introduction, it has served as both a shield and a set of eyes for naval vessels, ensuring that they can detect, analyze, and respond to hostile radar and missile activity before it becomes a direct danger. Over time, the system has been continuously upgraded to keep pace with the rapid evolution of missile technology and electronic warfare tactics, making it a cornerstone of naval survivability in modern combat environments.

At its core, the AN/SLQ-32 was created to give ships the ability to detect enemy radar emissions at long ranges, providing early warning of potential missile attacks. This early detection capability is vital because anti-ship cruise missiles often travel at high speeds and low altitudes, leaving very little time for a ship to react once they are launched. By identifying the radar signals used by enemy targeting systems, the AN/SLQ-32 allows crews to prepare defensive measures before the missile even comes into view, effectively buying precious seconds that can mean the difference between survival and destruction.

The system does not stop at detection alone but also provides detailed signal analysis to classify and understand the nature of the threat. By analyzing the frequency, pulse, and modulation of incoming radar signals, the system can determine whether the source is a surveillance radar, a targeting radar, or a missile guidance system. This level of analysis ensures that the crew is not overwhelmed by false alarms and can prioritize the most immediate and dangerous threats, allowing for a more efficient and effective defensive response.

Another essential function of the AN/SLQ-32 is its ability to provide threat warning to the ship’s crew. Once a hostile radar or missile is detected and analyzed, the system alerts operators and integrates with the ship’s combat management system to recommend or even automate countermeasures. This rapid warning process ensures that defensive systems such as decoys, jammers, or even hard-kill weapons like surface-to-air missiles can be deployed in time to neutralize the threat. In this way, the AN/SLQ-32 acts as both a sentinel and a coordinator, linking detection with action.

Electronic protection is another critical role of the system, as it works to counter enemy surveillance and targeting efforts. In its earlier versions, this meant confusing or deceiving enemy radars to prevent them from locking onto the ship. In more advanced versions, the system has evolved to include electronic attack capabilities, allowing it not only to protect but also to actively disrupt and degrade enemy missile guidance systems. This shift from passive defense to active electronic warfare has greatly expanded the system’s value in modern naval operations.

The evolution of the AN/SLQ-32 can be seen through its various versions, each designed to address specific operational needs and technological challenges. The AN/SLQ-32(V)1 was the most basic version, intended for smaller combatants, and provided coverage against low-frequency radars used in surveillance and missile guidance. The AN/SLQ-32(V)2 expanded on this by adding new antennas and broader frequency coverage, enabling ships to detect higher-frequency targeting radars and improving early warning capabilities. These early versions laid the foundation for more advanced systems that would follow.

The AN/SLQ-32(V)3 marked a significant leap forward by introducing jamming capabilities and providing 360-degree coverage. This meant that ships were no longer limited to passive detection but could actively interfere with enemy radar systems, reducing the effectiveness of incoming missile attacks. Following the tragic USS Stark incident in 1987, where two anti-ship missiles struck the frigate, the Navy developed the AN/SLQ-32(V)5, a compact jamming version specifically designed for Perry-class frigates. This adaptation highlighted the Navy’s commitment to ensuring that even smaller ships had access to robust electronic warfare defenses.

As technology advanced, the system continued to evolve under the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program, or SEWIP. The AN/SLQ-32(V)6, also known as SEWIP Lite, provided enhanced detection, analysis, and protection functions while being more compact and efficient. This version was particularly useful for ships that required advanced capabilities but had limited space or power availability. The most advanced version to date, the AN/SLQ-32(V)7, also known as SEWIP Block 3, represents the pinnacle of the system’s development, offering non-kinetic electronic attack capabilities that can defeat incoming threats without the need for physical interceptors.

SEWIP itself is an evolutionary upgrade program designed to keep the AN/SLQ-32 relevant in the face of rapidly advancing missile and radar technologies. Instead of replacing the system entirely, SEWIP introduces incremental block upgrades that enhance its performance step by step. Block 2 focused on improving processing power and antenna capabilities, ensuring that the system could handle more complex and diverse radar signals. Block 3, on the other hand, introduced advanced electronic attack functions, giving ships the ability to disrupt or disable enemy missile systems before they could strike.

The integration of SEWIP with shipboard combat management systems has also been a key factor in its effectiveness. By linking directly with a ship’s sensors, weapons, and command systems, the AN/SLQ-32 can operate as part of a larger defensive network rather than as a standalone system. This integration allows for faster decision-making, automated responses, and a more coordinated defense against complex, multi-axis missile attacks. It also ensures that the system can adapt to different ship classes and mission profiles, making it a versatile tool across the Navy’s fleet.

The importance of the AN/SLQ-32 and its SEWIP upgrades cannot be overstated in the context of modern naval warfare. Anti-ship missiles have become increasingly sophisticated, with faster speeds, stealthier designs, and more advanced guidance systems. In such an environment, traditional defenses like armor or point-defense weapons are no longer sufficient on their own. Electronic warfare systems like the AN/SLQ-32 provide a critical layer of defense that can neutralize threats before they reach the ship, complementing kinetic defenses and greatly improving overall survivability.