Lockheed Martin is to continue to upgrade the electronic warfare defense systems of U.S. Navy ships under a low-rate production contract worth $154 million.

The new award comes under Block 2 of the Navy's Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program, through which the company will provide additional systems to AN/SLQ-32 systems determine if the electronic sensors of potential foes are tracking the ship.

"Our fleets are facing a rapidly changing threat environment in theaters across the globe," said Joe Ottaviano, Electronic Warfare program director for Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training. "This contract allows us to continue providing much needed technological advances that will help outpace our adversaries and protect our warfighters."

Lockheed Martin was awarded 24 systems in 2013 and 2014 as part of low-rate initial production to enhance the capabilities for ship defense.

Work on the SEWIP program will be performed at the company's facility in Syracuse, N.Y.

Information on the systems to be provided for the upgrade was not provided by Lockheed Martin.