NPG14_CHINFO_Web_7Mar14

U.S. NAVY PROGRAM GUIDE 2014
begin in 2026. VPM will provide future Virginia-class submarines
an additional four large-diameter payload tubes, increasing Tactical
Tomahawk (TACTOM) strike capacity from 12 to 40 missiles.
To enhance undersea sensing and expand it into waters inaccessible
to other systems, the Navy continues to develop and field longerrange
and endurance unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs).
In 2018, the Navy will deploy its first F-35C Lightning II aircraft.
The aircraft will deliver a transformational family of next-generation
strike capabilities, combining stealth and enhanced sensors
to provide lethal, survivable, and supportable tactical strike fighters.
This will enable new operating concepts that employ its stealth
and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities
alongside the complementary payload capacity of the F/A-18
Hornet and Super Hornet. To improve air-to-air warfare, the
FY 2015 Program also continues to improve kill chains that overcome
or circumvent radar jamming by using improved sensors
and air-to-air missiles. These improved capabilities began delivering
last year on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and will continue
with the introduction of the F-35C. With a broad wingspan, ruggedized
structures and durable coatings, the F-35C carrier variant
is designed to stand up to harsh shipboard conditions while delivering
a lethal combination of 5th-Generation fighter capabilities.
This aircraft sets a new standard in weapon systems integration,
maintainability, combat radius, and payload that brings greater
multi-mission capability to carrier strike groups (CSGs).
To assure access for surface forces, the Navy is sustaining effective
defenses against ASCMs and will counter each link in the kill chain
of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). Countering ASCMs will
be accomplished with kinetic defense that combines platforms,
payloads, systems, and weapons and will be capable of detecting
and engaging ASCMs hundreds of miles away. In August 2013,
the Aegis guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62)
successfully conducted a live-fire SM-6 engagement of a BQM-74
target drone with successful detection, engagement and destruction
at predicted ranges, and all supported by off-board targeting.
To defeat ASCMs at closer ranges, the FY 2015 Program upgrades
short-range missiles and electronic warfare systems to destroy incoming
missiles or cause them to miss by deceiving and jamming
their seekers. Similarly, the Navy will defeat the ASBM threat by
countering actions needed for an adversary to find, target, launch,
and complete an attack—using a kill chain similar to those used to
defeat aircraft and ASCMs. Through September 2013, the Aegis
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system demonstrated 27 successful
“hits” in 33 at-sea tests, including interceptions of two targets
by two interceptors during a single event.
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