Royal Navy Testing Electronic Warfare Upgrades

Tests have started on MEWSIC, the Royal Navy’s next-generation electronic warfare (EW) system being procured by the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) arm of the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

Babcock International is the prime contractor, working in tandem with Elbit Systems, on the Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) programme.

Once proven, MEWSIC will be installed both on a number of current fleet assets including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the Type 45 destroyers, as well as future warships such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates currently under construction.

As per a recent DE&S statement, MEWSIC will replace the Royal Navy’s existing EW system, enhancing the fleet’s defensive capabilities, especially with respect to anti-ship missiles.

The first production model of MEWSIC has been completed and is being put through a rigorous testing programme at an unspecified Elbit Systems U.K. centre, while the first version of its updated complementary Combat Management Software System has been delivered to Portsdown Technology Park in Hampshire.

The MEWSIC upgrade package is one half of a wider Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) which will also include the Ancilia decoy system made by Devon-based firm SEA (Systems Engineering and Assessment).

The main advantage of Ancilia over the Seagnat system it is set to replace on destroyers and frigates is that it can rotate independently to fire decoys in any direction and at a variety of angles, obviating the need to manoeuvre the ship itself to counter incoming threats.

When ready for installation alongside MEWSIC, two Ancilia systems will be fitted to each Type 26 and Type 31 frigate, as well as the Type 45 destroyers..

Dr Allan Paterson, DE&S’ Maritime Electronic Warfare Team Leader, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the first MEWSIC system being delivered by DE&S and our industry partners, so that this crucial phase of testing and evaluation can be carried out and the capabilities of MEWSIC can be proven.”

• You can read more details on the DE&S website