UK COOPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT CAPABILITY (uk cec)

CEC represents a revolutionary advancement in air and missile defence. It works by fusing together information from individual ship’s radar with data from the rest of the fleet to create one all-encompassing radar image, giving force commanders an almost perfect picture of the aerial battlefield. By networking the radar a ‘gods-eye’ picture emerges which provides improved and longer range visibility of incoming threats such as missiles and aircraft so ships can take defensive action in a more timely and effective manner.

The CEC system, already in use with the United States Navy, does not replace any single system. Instead it exploits current systems already in use – utilising their information-gathering hardware and then building on it. Hence CEC is effectively a force multiplier, which will also enable much closer integration of UK and US assets in any joint operation.

Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems has led a team that also includes Lockheed Martin Naval Maritime Systems and Sensors, AMS, John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, QinetiQ and Raytheon through the Assessment Phase, and continues to support the JSENS IPT. The team brings to the table extensive knowledge of the UK platforms and of the technologies involved and issues associated with CEC integration, in particular, the experience already gained integrating CEC into the US AEGIS Combat System.

Early successes on the Assessment Phase 2 programme included the first live UKCEC network being created between Portsdown Technology Park and HMS Collingwood (connected by an encrypted broadband land-link) a mere four days after the equipment was installed. The trial was the first time that composite tracking using CEC technology has been achieved in the UK to form one radar picture utilising sensor data gathered from two separate sites. CEC technology tracked and analysed data from a trials aircraft flying demanding flight profiles in the Solent region against a cluttered radar backdrop. Subsequent trials included incorporation of IFF sensor data and integration with the Type 23 command system. The trials programme culminated with dual site trials utilising dedicated instrumented aircraft which further demonstrated the benefits of CEC and was completed two months ahead of schedule. A robust solution for the Demonstration and Manufacture phase was also developed, and was endorsed by the wide UK and US stake-holder community at a Preliminary Design Review, forming a firm baseline for the future.