CRANE, Ind. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employees are increasing the Navy’s readiness by training sailors to help integrate the latest electromagnetic warfare technology.
The primary goal of the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 is to provide anti-ship missile defense to protect US Naval ships and its sailors. AN/SLQ-32(V)7 is the current version within the AN/SLQ-32 system and the latest block improvement under the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP). This update for the (V)7 has been an ongoing project for the past four years, with Navy enlisted personnel taking part in the last two.
Andrew Peter currently works as the Deputy Division Manager for the In-Service Radar Program Office Detachment at NSWC Crane. During the project he worked as the Sustainment Engineering Branch Manager within Maritime Electromagnetic Warfare Division, and believes this technology holds significant value in protecting the fleet against adversaries.
“Where potential conflicts involve near peer adversaries, the United States Navy needs the latest and greatest systems aboard their ships to counter advanced threats,” said Peter. “The potential that the SLQ-32(V)7 system provides is staggering, and one could argue not even fully realized, as there are still modifications made to keep the system at the forefront of shipboard defense capabilities. An aggressive installation schedule is a testament to the Navy’s demand of the latest capabilities.”
Sam Harrold is a former Executive Officer for NSWC Crane and currently works as the Fleet Liaison for the AN/SLQ-32(V)7. Harrold was responsible for recruiting two enlisted sailors to assist with the project. CTT1 Kelson Edwish and CTT1 Adam Keith assisted with production integration testing (PIT) of the current AN/SLQ-32 system at both Northrup Grumman and NSWC Crane. This experience has provided both sailors an elevated level of expertise compared to other sailors. CTT1 Edwish will be the Navy’s first AN/SLQ-32(V)7 maintenance technician.
CTT1 Edwish is excited to take what he has learned from this experience back to other sailors working on the SLQ-32(V)7.
“As the first sailor in the Navy with the (V)7 Navy Enlisted Classification, I hope that I can provide a sufficient backbone of knowledge and learning for future sailors to build upon,” said CTT1 Edwish. “The SLQ-32(V)7 provides a significant leap in technology and ability that will require an overhaul of how we, as Cryptologic Technicians Technical (CTTs), operate and utilize our equipment. Working with the Sustainment Engineering Branch at NSWC Crane directly and learning firsthand from the In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) Subject Matter Experts has provided me a step ahead before returning to the Surface Fleet.”
Ethan Jones is the (V)7 Integration Lead and has worked with CTT1 Edwish. He is excited to see what CTT1 Edwish has learned from the (V)7 team to take back to the fleet.
“CTT1 Edwish has actually had his time extended supporting NSWC Crane and has received the first-ever Navy Enlisted Classification Code of AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Maintenance Technician,” said Jones. “He will eventually be onboard a ship with AN/SLQ-32(V)7 technology that he has assisted in building and testing through his efforts here at NSWC Crane. He will instantly become a subject matter expert (SME) on the frontlines that is skilled in identifying, troubleshooting, and remediating issues in the fleet.”
Providing on-the-job training allows sailors to become SMEs and take their training back to the fleet. Taking in CTTs during the early stages of the process allows them to work with the physical system that will be installed on a ship. Putting sailors in real world situations, such as a system unexpectedly failing, helps them learn how to fix the problem quickly and accurately.
Harrold believes that the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 is vital to the fleet and that NSWC Crane plays an important role in this technology.
“The AN/SLQ-32(V)7 is a generational leap forward in active Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) capabilities. The experience gained by the sailors assigned to the Maritime EW Division at NSWC Crane will provide a higher level of system expertise to ships being fielded with this system. This partnership is a win-win for the program and the Navy, and a testament to the level of dedication of NSWC Crane as a leader in EW,” said Harrold.
About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.
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