U.S. Navy Upgrades Submarine With Electronic Warfare Systems to Boost Stealth Against Underwater Threats.

The U.S. Navy is strengthening the electronic warfare capabilities of its submarine fleet with new production systems designed to improve survivability against increasingly sophisticated underwater threats and contested electromagnetic environments. The upgrade will enhance the ability of both new-construction and operational submarines to detect, identify, and avoid hostile electronic sensors, reinforcing the fleet's stealth advantage during high-end naval operations.

According to a contract announcement released by the U.S. Department of Defense on July 9, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corp. of Syracuse, New York, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $48,964,213 undefinitized delivery order (N00024-26-F-6223) under the previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00024-19-D-6200). The award covers the production of submarine electronic warfare systems for both newly constructed and in-service U.S. Navy submarines, supporting the Navy's long-term effort to maintain undersea dominance in increasingly contested maritime regions.

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The Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for scheduled maintenance on February 21, 2026. The U.S. Navy is equipping both new-construction and in-service submarines with advanced Lockheed Martin electronic warfare systems to enhance survivability against increasingly capable submarine and maritime threats from China and Russia. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense)

Modern submarine electronic warfare systems are among the most critical yet least visible components of a submarine's combat capability. Operating primarily while the submarine is at or near periscope depth, these systems passively monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, detecting radar emissions, communications signals, navigation systems, and other electronic signatures generated by ships, aircraft, coastal surveillance sites, and missile batteries. By collecting and processing these emissions without transmitting their own signals, submarines can build a detailed tactical picture while preserving the stealth that remains their greatest operational advantage.

Lockheed Martin has long been a key supplier of advanced electronic warfare technologies for the U.S. Navy, integrating high-sensitivity receivers, digital signal processors, advanced antennas, and software-defined architectures capable of rapidly identifying and classifying thousands of known electronic emitters. Unlike earlier generations of electronic support measures, modern systems rely heavily on digital processing and continuously updated threat libraries, allowing submarines to recognize emerging electronic signatures and adapt to evolving battlefield conditions without extensive hardware modifications.

The capability is particularly important for the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, which serves as the backbone of the U.S. Navy's undersea force and routinely conducts intelligence collection, surveillance, strike missions, and anti-submarine warfare operations in strategically sensitive regions. As additional Block V and future Virginia-class variants enter service, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities are increasingly integrated into the overall combat system to improve survivability in highly contested waters.

The electronic warfare systems covered by the contract will also support fleet modernization beyond new construction. By equipping submarines already in operational service with updated capabilities, the Navy can maintain a common electronic warfare standard across multiple submarine classes while ensuring that existing boats remain effective against rapidly evolving threats throughout their service lives. This approach reduces capability gaps between older and newer submarines while improving fleet readiness.

The investment comes as both China and Russia continue to modernize their submarine forces and expand their undersea warfare capabilities. China's People's Liberation Army Navy is rapidly increasing the size and sophistication of its submarine fleet while strengthening maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities throughout the Western Pacific. Russia continues to operate highly capable nuclear-powered attack submarines equipped with increasingly quiet propulsion systems, advanced sonar technologies, and long-range cruise missiles, posing a significant challenge for NATO naval forces operating in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

For the U.S. Navy, maintaining superiority beneath the sea increasingly depends not only on acoustic stealth but also on dominance of the electromagnetic spectrum. Modern submarines must operate in environments where radar systems, electronic intelligence sensors, communications networks, and integrated maritime surveillance assets continuously collect and share information. Electronic warfare systems enable submarine commanders to detect these emitters early, assess potential threats, and adjust routes or operational profiles before the submarine's presence is exposed.

The contract also reflects the Navy's broader transition toward software-defined electronic warfare architectures capable of receiving regular software upgrades and expanded threat databases throughout a submarine's operational life. This approach enables faster adaptation to newly identified electronic threats while reducing the need for costly hardware replacements during maintenance availabilities. As the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine begins entering service alongside an expanding Virginia-class fleet, maintaining modern electronic warfare capabilities across both classes will be essential to preserving the credibility of the United States' undersea deterrent.

The use of an undefinitized delivery order allows production activities to begin before final contract terms are negotiated, ensuring that critical modernization efforts continue without disrupting submarine construction schedules or fleet maintenance plans. Such contracting mechanisms are frequently used when the Department of Defense seeks to accelerate delivery of operationally important capabilities.

Beyond its procurement value, the award highlights the growing strategic importance of electronic warfare in future undersea operations. As peer competitors invest heavily in more capable submarines, advanced sensors, and increasingly sophisticated maritime surveillance networks, the ability to detect and exploit the electromagnetic environment without compromising stealth will remain a decisive advantage. By strengthening the electronic warfare capabilities of both new and operational submarines, the U.S. Navy is reinforcing a key element enabling its undersea force to operate effectively in contested regions while preserving freedom of maneuver and strategic deterrence.

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Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.