Rival proposals from Elbit Systems UK and SEA (a subsidiary of Cohort) are in contention to meet the Electronic Warfare Counter Measures (EWCM) Increment 1a requirement. The new trainable decoy launcher will replace the existing fixed 130 mm launchers (designated Outfit DLH) currently equipping RN surface ships.
Forming part of the RN’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) – an overarching recapitalization of surface ship electronic surveillance, electronic warfare command and control (EWC2), and soft-kill anti-ship missile defense (ASMD) – EWCM Increment 1a is focused on the acquisition of a trainable decoy launcher system capable of deploying both future and legacy countermeasure rounds: the latter stipulation requires compatibility with the 130 mm caliber Mk 216 and Mk 217 radio frequency (RF) distraction decoys, and the 130 mm MK 245 infrared seduction decoy.
The decision to pursue the acquisition of a new trainable decoy launcher has been underpinned by studies performed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). According to Dstl, while fixed launchers require ship manoeuvres and careful selection of the launcher ‘barrel of choice’, a stabilised trainable launcher offers a much improved ability to deploy the right countermeasure effect into the right place at the right time.
The MoD – through Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) – launched the EWCM Increment 1a competition in 2022 with Elbit Systems UK, Safran and SEA initially shortlisted. Safran was dropped from the competition earlier this year.
Elbit Systems UK is understood to be proposing a customized variant of its Deseaver Mk 4 trainable decoy control and launching system configured for 130 mm decoy rounds. The fully stabilised Deseaver Mk 4 launcher is already being introduced to service with the Israeli Navy, and recently completed a series of live trials to demonstrate its capability in complex ASMD scenarios.
Meanwhile, SEA is proposing its new Ancilia trainable launcher system. Leveraging SEA’s existing experience as in-service support contractor for Outfit DLH, the baseline Ancilia system mounts 12 130 mm launch barrels on a stabilised training/elevating platform supplied by Chess Dynamics (also part of Cohort Group).
Naval News understands that a downselection and subsequent contract award is planned at the end of 2023/early 2024.
A follow-on acquisition, known as EWCM Increment 1b, plans the procurement of a second-generation RF Active Decoy (RFAD). It is currently planned to run a competition for the new RFAD, with a contract award planned for 2026.
The MEWP programme also encompasses the Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC), which is delivering a new wideband digital radar electronic support measures sensor and an electronic warfare command and control (EWC2) subsystem to 21 RN ships. A Babcock-led team also featuring Elbit Systems UK and QinetiQ was in late 2021 awarded a £100 million contract by DE&S for MEWSIC demonstration, manufacture, integration and in-service support: the EWC2 functionality resident in MEWSIC will manage the new decoy launcher being acquired under EWCM Increment 1a.
