BAE contracted for more electronic warfare systems for next F-35 production lot
BAE has been contracted by Lockheed Martin to deliver EW systems for F-35 aircraft built under Lot 17. (Photo: USN)
BAE Systems has received a $491 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare (EW) systems for Block 4 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets built under Lot 17.
The systems for future Lot 17 aircraft add to the 1,200 F-35 EW systems it has delivered to date. No quantity was cited but Lot 17 may contain as many as 126 aircraft if options are exercised.
‘The Block 4 EW system will offer greater situational awareness, enhanced survivability and increased capabilities to counter modern threats, and is upgradable to address evolving threats,’ said Lisa Aucoin, VP of F-35 solutions at BAE Systems.
The Block 4 systems will include significantly upgraded hardware and software that improves sensing and signal-processing capabilities, while new sensors will boost the system’s ability to detect difficult-to-observe threats as well as more threats simultaneously, the company said.
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