BAE Systems has completed delivery of 400 2-Color Advanced Warning Systems (2CAWS) to enhance the US Army’s heavy lift, utility, and attack helicopter survivability against missile threats.
The 2CAWS was developed under a $62-million contract awarded in July 2021 and builds upon the Limited Interim Missile Warning System Quick Reaction Capability program as “protecting US Army helicopters is core to our mission,” company Vice President and General Manager of Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions Dave Harrold stated.
“We’ve worked closely with Army Aviation to provide cutting-edge capabilities that protect crews from evolving threats, provide adversarial overmatch, and enable warfighters to execute missions in contested battlespace,” he said.
Next-Gen Capabilities
The 2CAWS builds upon the capabilities of BAE’s Common Missile Warning System currently fielded on US Army and allied aircraft since 2005.
As a two-color infrared sensor warning system designed for harsh rotary- and fixed-wing environments, it utilizes modern multi-spectral sensors that capture a broader range of wavelengths and reduce false alarms in complex situations.
It also uses machine learning algorithms that analyze past encounters and adjust detection parameters.
Additionally, the system has a high-speed digital backbone enabling enhanced integration with existing aircraft systems and ensuring faster response times.
It is also designed for quick and easy integration with existing aircraft survivability equipment, such as pilot interfaces and countermeasure systems.