Boeing has submitted its proposal for the Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) contract for the U.S. Navy's Aegis Weapon System. "Boeing has assembled a strong team to support the next evolution of the Aegis Weapon System with fresh, innovative solutions," said Boeing Network and Space Systems President Roger Krone.

"Boeing recognizes the vital importance of the Aegis program to the nation's security, and we are prepared to support the Navy's goal of affordably enhancing the system's capabilities to meet future threats and challenges."

Developed by the Navy, the Aegis Weapon System is a surface-to-air integrated weapons platform designed to defend against airborne threats. The Aegis CSEA will provide systems engineering and development support for the modernization of the current system.

Under the new contract, enhanced air and missile defense capabilities will be integrated on Flight III destroyers to help warfighters respond to advancing threats.

The Navy is expected to award the Aegis CSEA contract in fall 2012.

"Boeing has a long history of modernizing existing systems, enhancing their capability with the latest tools and technology, and delivering flexible, low-cost, high-performance end products.

That kind of expertise will be essential to bringing the Aegis system's capabilities to the next level," said Greg Hyslop, Boeing Strategic Missile and Defense Systems vice president and general manager.

"Our team has world-class system engineering capabilities, as well as extensive experience with complex integration - including Navy combat systems, missile defense systems and sensors.

As we did with the P-8 program, Boeing can offer the Navy a solution for its Aegis CSEA requirement that will reliably support this important capability upgrade."