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February 19, 2026
Protecting Missiles From EMI: Real-World Rocket Science
March 17, 2026Shielding the fleet.
DDG-51 to DDG(X).
Why the Department of War treats EMI shielding as core to destroyer survivability and readiness.
FIG. 01A guided-missile destroyer carries some of the most powerful emitters and most sensitive receivers in the fleet, in one hull.
Key figures
in this article
DDG-51
DDG(X)
Up to 80 MW
$133.5M
200%
The U.S. Department of War has prioritized EMI shielding as a critical component of survivability and operational readiness for its DDG ships, including the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and the next-generation DDG(X) classes.
A guided-missile destroyer packs high-power radar, electronic attack, and, on DDG(X), directed-energy weapons into the same hull as its communication and navigation systems. Shielding is what keeps them from interfering with each other.
One hull, many emitters.
On guided-missile destroyers, EMI shielding does four jobs.
Interference control
Prevents electromagnetic radiation from interfering with sensitive onboard electronics.
EMP hardening
Hardens shipboard systems against electromagnetic pulses.
Combat system protection
Keeps the Aegis Combat System and high-power radars like the AN/SPY-6 operating without interference from the ship’s own high-energy emissions or external electronic warfare.
Power isolation on DDG(X)
Manages the massive electrical power, up to 80 MW, required for laser weapons and hypersonic missiles, which could otherwise disrupt nearby communication and navigation circuits.
Built to a baseline.
The Department of War uses rigorous standards to define the electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) baseline for these platforms.
MIL-STD-464C
Platform
Defines baseline E3 requirements for the platform as a whole.
Where each material goes
Copper
Most reliable; reduces magnetic and electric waves
Metal mesh & foils
Cable shielding
Conductive gaskets
Doors and hatches
Hardened enclosures
Combat Information Center (CIC)
Where the money is going.
DDG MOD 2.0
SEWIP Block 3 backfit
Backfits SEWIP Block 3, the electronic attack suite, onto DDG-51 Flight IIA ships. Advanced EMI shielding is required to protect the ship’s own sensors from its powerful non-kinetic defense systems.
DDG(X) development
FY2026 · $133.5M
The FY2026 budget allocates $133.5 million for research, part of which focuses on risk mitigation for the Integrated Power System (IPS) and its electromagnetic compatibility.
Shield the arrays. Shrink the signature.
Composite EMI shields
Lightweight, high-performance shields for sensitive electronic suites. On DDG(X), this isolates the massive power requirements of the IPS from delicate communication and radar arrays.
Radar-absorbent materials
Materials with radar-absorbent (RAM) properties, used in coatings and structural components to reduce the ship’s radar cross-section (RCS), a core requirement of the DDG(X) swept-back superstructure.
Made for salt water.
Traditional metallic shielding corrodes at sea. PNA’s composites are built for the maritime environment and for the ship’s most critical compartments.
Non-corrosive
Unlike galvanized steel or aluminum, PNA’s composites do not corrode, significantly reducing maintenance in harsh maritime environments.
High energy absorption
Engineered for improved protection against kinetic threats and blast fragments in critical areas like the CIC and vertical launch system (VLS) cells.
FIG. 02Fabric-over-foam and conductive elastomer gaskets for shipboard doors, hatches, and enclosures.
Shielding for
shipboard service.
The gaskets and materials discussed in this article, converted to your print on our Jamaica, NY floor.
EMI / RFI Gaskets
Conductive elastomer and fabric-over-foam gaskets converted to print for doors, hatches, and enclosures.
Gaskets & Seals
Environmental seals and die-cut gaskets for harsh maritime service.
Materials
The conductive and non-conductive materials we convert, including nickel-graphite alternatives to silver.
Shielding for your naval program.
Without the silver premium.
We work with primes and sub-tier manufacturers to specify, prototype, and supply EMI gaskets, conductive elastomers, and seals for shipboard programs. In-stock materials, custom-cut, no minimum order.
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