BAE Systems has won a $793 million contract from Lockheed Martin to upgrade and modernize the electronic warfare (EW) system for the F-35 Lightning II.
The upgrade will help the Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation fighter jet to quickly detect and address evolving electromagnetic threats in confined environments. BAE Systems will deliver improved highly efficient hardware for the fighter jet’s EW system, termed as “AN/ASQ-239.”
“The capabilities we will deliver in this contract are foundational and will be leveraged to other platforms to ensure all warfighters have the most advanced EW capability at the ready,” Lisa Aucoin, vice president of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems, said in a statement.
“The highly adaptable mission system will allow our war fighters to outpace evolving threats and defend democracy around the globe,” it added.
AN/ASQ-239 Electronic Warfare System
The AN/ASQ-239 system is an advanced electronic warfare system that provides radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection against adversaries. It also increases situational awareness, rapid response capabilities, threat warning, and the ability to reach well-defended targets. The system has been designed for performance, sustainability, and future upgradability.
BAE Systems will provide engineering support services and other test infrastructure as a part of the contract. The company is a major global partner to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 program and also manufactures aft fuselage, active inceptor control system, and vehicle management computer for the aircraft.
Earlier this month, the company won a $316 million contract to provide advanced military code GPS modules to the US Defense Logistics Agency. The contract will ensure the availability of common GPS modules for advanced military GPS receivers with capabilities including anti-jamming and anti-spoofing.
