BAE SYSTEMS2003-09-18 08:39:18

BAE SYSTEMS MOVES INTO IDECM THIRD LOW RATE INITIAL PRODUCTION

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE SYSTEMS North America a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract worth an estimated $46 million for the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System (IDECM) Radio Frequency Countermeasures system (RFCM). The contract is the third and last phase of LRIP.

The AN/ALQ-214(V), developed by BAE SYSTEMS Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) with ITT Industries' Avionics Division, is an integral component of the U.S. Navy IDECM/RFCM. The ALQ-214 provides onboard electronic defensive capabilities for U.S. military aircraft.

"The LRIP contract is an important step in getting this impressive electronic self-protection system onboard Navy aircraft,� said Mike Williams, IEWS director of RF Countermeasures in Nashua, New Hampshire, "We are proud to be working with our partner, ITT Industries, in supplying the very best defensive capability for our Navy's aviators.�

The IDECM programme has completed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) and is waiting for the release of the OPEVAL report followed by a Milestone III decision by the Navy. Upon a successful Milestone III decision, the system will enter Full Rate Production (FRP) and be deployed on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

The next phase of the IDECM programme integrates the ALQ-214 onboard defensive system with the AN/ALE-55 Fibre Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) - a high-powered off-board transmitter.

Art Schuetz, IEWS vice president for RF Electronic Warfare, said the IDECM system is a "truly integrated� system that links the aircraft's radar warning system, mission computer, RFCM system, and ALE-55 FOTD into a unified defensive system. "The Navy, Air Force and industry team continues to focus on providing the very best defensive capability for the armed forces. Incorporated with the ALE-55 FOTD, IDECM will be the best aircraft self-protection system in the world,� said Schuetz.

IDECM incorporates onboard high-sensitivity receivers and transmitters, designed by ITT Industries' Avionics Division, Clifton, N.J., and off-board countermeasures, which include the high-powered FOTD and deployment canister developed by IEWS. IDECM provides a highly effective electronic warfare defence for U.S. military aircraft against current and future RF missile threats.

For more information contact:
Warwick House
Po Box 87
Farnborough Aerospace Centre
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 6YU
United Kingdom
Tel:     + 44 1252 373232
Fax:     + 44 1252 383000






 

 


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