Each Type 26, 31, and 45 craft will be fitted with two Ancilia systems when MEWSIC is installed. Credit: © Crown copyright/Royal Navy.

The first unit of the UK Royal Navy’s new electronic warfare systems has completed production and is undergoing final tests and upgrades. 

The Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) is primed for installation aboard both existing and future principal naval vessels, including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, Type 45 destroyers, and the upcoming Type 26/31 frigates.  

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MEWSIC enhances the sensor array of the Navy’s current electronic warfare (EW) capability, which is vital in detecting adversarial forces, their equipment, and movements. This detection is crucial for strategising and executing military operations.  

The initial production model is currently being put through its paces at Elbit Systems UK’s facility in Bristol.  

Concurrently, the updated combat management system has been delivered to Portsdown Technology Park for the final stages of software development.  

MEWSIC represents one aspect of a comprehensive initiative to bolster the Surface Fleet’s electromagnetic warfare capabilities through the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP).  

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The programme also includes Ancilia, a deployable ‘trainable’ launcher system designed to deploy EW decoys that mislead incoming anti-ship missiles. 

The MEWSIC system transitioned to the manufacturing, testing, and acceptance phase after passing the design review stage in 2023.  

This progress follows a 13-year contract awarded in 2021 to a consortium comprising Babcock, Elbit Systems UK, and QinetiQ, tasked with delivering new EW capabilities to the Royal Navy under the MEWSIC Program’s Increment 1. 

This £135m ($167.80m) system is expected to replace the Seagnat on current destroyers and future frigates, offering rapid swivel action and adjustable firing angles for optimal decoy effectiveness. 

The Royal Navy said in a press release: “It means there’s no need to manoeuvre the ship to counter the incoming threats: Ancilia will face them directly.  

What takes anti-ship missile defence to the next level is the integration of Ancilia with MEWSIC’s Electromagnetic Warfare Command and Control”. 

MEWSIC’s new capability automatically integrates detected electromagnetic emissions with the tactical situation, providing the operations room team increased situational awareness.  

This integration allows for more informed decisions and the timely deployment of countermeasures.  

Despite the advancements, certain tasks, such loading and reloading Ancilia with decoy rounds, remain manual, relying on the expertise of the ship’s electronic warfare specialists.  

Over a three-day period, these specialists engaged in practical exercises with the system, providing valuable feedback to enhance its simplicity and efficacy in live operational scenarios. 

When ready for installation with MEWSIC, two Ancilia systems will be fitted to each Type 26, 31 and 45 craft.