F-35 EW countermeasures manufacturer eyes a busy future
BAE Systems produces the EW countermeasures system for the F-35. (Photo: BAE Systems)
BAE Systems is increasing monthly production of its AN/ASQ-239 system for the F-35.
BAE Systems Inc confirmed on 28 June that it is ramping up production of its EW countermeasures system for the F-35 Lightning II multirole fighter, after obtaining a Lot 16 manufacturing contract for the AN/ASQ-239.
This Lot 16 award comes as BAE Systems delivers Lot 14 systems and executes material orders for Lot 15. The company already produces 18 shipsets a month and plans to reach 20 per month in 2022 to match LRIP for the F-35 aircraft.
Shephard reported in April that F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin expects a ‘ballpark $9 billion’ F-35 Lot 16 production contract to be signed off in Q4 2021.
BAE Systems calculates that it has already provided more than 800 units of the AN/ASQ-239 to date for the F-35 programme.
The AN/ASQ-239 extends detection ranges and provides radar protection, as well as providing the F-35 pilot with evasion, engagement, countermeasure and jamming options.
BAE Systems has been the EW supplier for the F-35 programme since 2005.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore’s Hermes 900 buy to enhance multi-domain ISR capabilities]()
Singapore’s Hermes 900 buy to enhance multi-domain ISR capabilities
Drawing on its endurance and substantial payload capacity, the Hermes 900 would provide a boost to Singapore’s ISR capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2025: GA-ASI’s MQ-9B racks up new milestones with AEW demo planned]()
Dubai Airshow 2025: GA-ASI’s MQ-9B racks up new milestones with AEW demo planned
The company announced its demonstration timeline while confirming the MQ-9B had completed the platform’s third lifetime test.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2025: Edge Group eyes international market expansion, unveils new UAVs]()
Dubai Airshow 2025: Edge Group eyes international market expansion, unveils new UAVs
The UAV portfolio expansion comes in the wake of the Edge-Anduril joint venture announced ahead of the airshow.
-
![India reopens hunt for reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters]()
India reopens hunt for reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters
The extended deadline for vendors highlights the complexity of the procurement for India, with numerous vendors positioning themselves for the programme.
-
![European firms express interest in filling NATO airborne early warning replacement needs]()
European firms express interest in filling NATO airborne early warning replacement needs
The comments from both Saab and Airbus on their potential to fulfil the airborne early warning and control requirement come after NATO countries shelved plans to procure six E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2025: Lockheed’s AGM-158 XR flight tests planned for 2026]()
Dubai Airshow 2025: Lockheed’s AGM-158 XR flight tests planned for 2026
The AGM-158 XR, which started as a Lockheed Martin internal investment, was first unveiled in September 2024.
