In April, the US State Department authorised the sale of the state-of-the-art integrated AEGIS combat system as a command and weapon deployment system for the German Navy's Frigate 127.

The main contractors are Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies. The package comprises eight sets. In addition to the AEGIS Integrated Combat System (Airborne Early Warning Ground Environment Integration Segment), these include AN/SPY-6 radars, Mk-41 vertical launch systems (VLS), AN/SPQ-9B fire control radars, electronic warfare systems, GPS-based navigation systems, command and control and communication systems, data link solutions, encryption modules and other sensor technology.

The procurement makes Germany the first international customer for Raytheon's new SPY-6 phased array radar and integrates the Bundeswehr into NATO's AEGIS fleet. The future command and control and battle management system of the F127 is based on a digital architecture that will enable artificial intelligence, model-based engineering, continuous modernisation and cyber security throughout its entire life cycle.

The procurement project, worth around 10.2 billion euros, is being handled via the US Foreign Military Sales programme, which has already been used to procure maritime patrol aircraft for naval aviation. For more information on the FMS, see there. https://marineforum.online/foreign-military-sales-bundeswehr/

All sensors, information and weapon systems are brought together in a standardised network. This will enable crews to recognise threats in real time, make decisions more quickly and deploy weapons more precisely. The F127 thus marks a further step towards networked and highly automated naval warfare and, with AEGIS, the navy is heading into a new operational dimension.

kdk, The Maritime Executive