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Collins Aerospace has been awarded a follow-on contract worth up to US$904 million (AU$1.45 billion) over five years to further develop the US Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability.
The Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) is a cutting-edge system that integrates sensors across surface, land and air platforms to enhance integrated fire control across the joint domain.
As the sole provider of the CEC since 1985, Collins Aerospace continues to play a crucial role in strengthening the US Navy’s warfighting capabilities. This new sole-source contract builds upon the previous five-year design agent contract, ensuring a seamless transition of expertise and further advancements in the system.
The CEC is a vital component of the US Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations strategy, enabling multiple platforms to share real-time sensor data, enhance situational awareness and coordinate defensive and offensive actions more effectively.
The new contract will see Collins Aerospace introduce greater interoperability, expand weapon and sensor coordination and the integration of additional data sources into the network.
Ryan Bunge, vice president and general manager of C4I and autonomy solutions at Collins Aerospace, explained the importance of this latest development contract, saying, “The Cooperative Engagement Capability is a key enabler to support the Navy’s expanding Distributed Maritime Operations.”
Collins Aerospace has successfully deployed and maintained the CEC on more than 174 US Navy, US Marine Corps and international platforms, including Australia’s Hobart Class guided missile destroyers and the future Hunter Class guided missile frigates, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness in modern naval operations.
“The capabilities we’ve been developing for years are time-tested solutions that enable integrated fire controls across the joint services,” Bunge said.
The contract also offers significant flexibility for future task orders, allowing for continued engineering, testing and upgrades to enhance the CEC’s role in modern multi-domain warfare.
This investment reinforces Collins Aerospace’s position as a leader in advanced defence technology while ensuring the US Navy maintains a decisive operational advantage.
