BAE Systems Receives Rapid Response Contract From U.S. Navy to Demonstrate Leading-Edge Countermeasure System

Rhea-AI Summary

BAE Systems secured a $4 million contract from the U.S. Navy for a rapid demonstration of a new radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) system designed for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. This lightweight, high-power system enhances self-protection capabilities and will be developed within five to six months, significantly quicker than the typical 18 to 24 months. The innovative design process, facilitated by focused teams, allows for swift integration and testing, commencing in early 2021 at the Nashua, New Hampshire facility.

Positive

• Secured a $4 million contract with the U.S. Navy.
• Rapid development timeline of five to six months for the RFCM system.
• Enhanced self-protection capabilities for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Negative

• None.

BAE Systems received a $4 million contract from the U.S. Navy to conduct a quick-turnaround demonstration of a new radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) system for the P-8A Poseidon. The pod-mounted RFCM system is a leading-edge, lightweight, high-power system that will add a new self-protection capability to this next-generation U.S. Navy aircraft.

The new pod-mounted radio frequency countermeasure system adds another layer of self-protection to a next-generation Navy aircraft, as this illustration shows. (Photo: BAE Systems)

“The ability to meet this unprecedented response time underscores our agility, focus on meeting customer needs, and our ultimate goal of protecting our warfighters,” said Don Davidson, director of the Advanced Compact Electronic Warfare Solutions product line at BAE Systems. “A process that used to take 18 to 24 months has been scaled to five or six months, which is remarkable, as is deploying this new self-protection capability.”

The rapid response is the result of collaboration among small focus teams who developed an innovative approach to the design and fabrication of the system’s mechanical parts. As a result, BAE Systems will design, build, integrate, and ship the RFCM system in approximately five months, followed by two months of flight testing on the P-8A Poseidon platform. Testing will begin early in 2021.

The RFCM system consists of a small form factor jammer, a high-powered amplifier and the AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy.

Work on the contract will be performed at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Nashua, New Hampshire.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005009/en/

FAQ

What is the value of the contract BAE Systems received from the U.S. Navy?

BAE Systems received a $4 million contract from the U.S. Navy.

What is the purpose of the new radio frequency countermeasure system?

The RFCM system enhances the self-protection capabilities of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

How long will it take to develop the new countermeasure system?

The development of the RFCM system will take approximately five to six months.

Where will the work on the RFCM system be performed?

Work on the RFCM system will be performed at BAE Systems' facility in Nashua, New Hampshire.

When will testing for the RFCM system begin?

Testing for the RFCM system is scheduled to begin early in 2021.