The US Navy has awarded a $241.3m contract to Raytheon to provide additional open architecture software capability for the Navy’s Zumwalt Class destroyer (DDG 1000).

Under the contract, the company will deliver computer-graphical user interfaces and a technical data-manager capability to control the Zumwalt’s ship propulsion, integrated power, auxiliary and damage control systems.

The software development open architecture will support the integration of human-computer interface components for the ship’s engineering machinery controls and damage control systems.

In addition, Raytheon will also provide support to land-based and shipboard testing of the integrated subsystems.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Seapower Capability Systems vice-president Robert Martin said the most readily expandable, sophisticated software suite allows the warfighter to address threats faster and more effectively than ever before.

“The high level of automation and intuitive human-computer interface of the ship’s systems will dramatically reduce manning, resulting in significant cost savings for the navy,” he said.