Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) System Seeks Bids from Leading Defense Companies

Strategic Insights -

The Navy has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) system, a critical program aimed at streamlining infrastructure and enhancing capabilities across surface ship networks. The CANES system is being developed by a team led by Northrop Grumman, with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems also submitting bids to contribute to the project. The goal of CANES is to consolidate and replace legacy systems, delivering a common network to every ship, submarine, and shore-based command and control center in the Navy. A subprogram of CANES, Afloat Core Services, focuses on modular, reusable, and interoperable software development that can be updated more quickly and frequently.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CANES program is valued at over $1.5 billion over the next five years, a significant investment in modernizing the Navy's command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) architecture.
  • The program aims to significantly reduce development, deployment, and lifecycle costs by streamlining infrastructure and enhancing capabilities.
  • Northrop Grumman has formed a formidable team comprising an industry leader in networks, computing, and commercial best practices, as well as small and disadvantaged businesses with special skills and track records of innovation.
  • The team includes major technology and services partner IBM, providing commercial industry innovation and best practices that can be integrated into the CANES solution.
  • The Northrop Grumman-led team includes key small-business partners Atlas Technologies, Beatty and Company Computing, Juno Technologies, Syzygy Technologies, Inc., and CenterBeam Inc.
  • The CANES project offers IBM and Northrop Grumman the opportunity to provide the Navy with world-class IT capabilities based on open standards and COTS, and leading-edge shipbuilding and ship-board domain experience.

Statistics:

  • The total value of the CANES program is over $1.5 billion over the next five years.
  • The program aims to significantly reduce development, deployment, and lifecycle costs by streamlining infrastructure and enhancing capabilities.
  • The team is comprised of a major player in networks, computing, and commercial best practices, as well as small and disadvantaged businesses.
  • The team includes IBM, a major technology and services partner, providing commercial industry innovation and best practices that can be integrated into the CANES solution.
  • The CANES project is being led by Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector, with the program office for the Northrop Grumman team located in San Diego.

Sources:

  • Defense Daily, April 8: "PEO C4I Releases RFP for Common Computing Environment, Infrastructure Piece of CANES"
  • Northrop Grumman press release: "Northrop Grumman-led Team Submits Bid for Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) Program"
  • Lockheed Martin press release: "Lockheed Martin Submits Bid for Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) Program"
  • BAE Systems press release: "BAE Systems Submits Bid for Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) Program"