Navy Weapon Destroys Anti-Ship Cruise Missile

By Kris Osborn

Allowing Navy ships to operate in closer proximity to enemy weapons.

The Navy is building and testing a fleet of upgraded DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with a series of next-generation technologies — including an ability to detect and destroy incoming enemy anti-ship cruise missiles at farther ranges from beyond the horizon.

The new fire-control system, called Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air, or NIFC-CA, is now deployed on a Navy cruiser serving as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf, Navy officials told Scout Warrior.

The technology enables ship-based radar to connect with an airborne sensor platform to detect approaching enemy anti-ship cruise missiles from beyond the horizon and, if needed, launch an SM-6 missile to intercept and destroy the incoming threat, Navy officials said.

The airborne sensor, which can help relay threat signals from beyond-the-horizon, can be an E2-D Hawkeye surveillance plane or another air platform. Some industry sources have even suggested that the platform could be an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter due to its advanced sensors and communications technology.

NIFC-CA presents the ability to extend the range of missiles and sensors by netting different sensors of different platforms — both sea-based and air-based together into one fire control system, Navy officials explained

NIFC-CA is part of an overall integrated air and missile defense high-tech upgrade now being installed and tested on existing and new DDG 51 ships called Baseline 9.