BAE Systems has received a $67 million contract modification to a competitively awarded contract to provide new EW systems for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and its fleet of AC/MC-130J aircraft. The total contract is expected to exceed $300 million, with this new phase of the contract—for the installation of new EW systems—to be conducted over the next 30 months.
BAE’s radio-frequency countermeasures (RFCM) EW system is designed to be integrated into both the U.S. Air Force’s AC-130J Ghostrider and the MC-130J Commando II aircraft. The system can handle a wide range of operations, including helicopter refueling, close air support, and interdiction in contested territory.
“With our all-digital system, we’re leveraging the latest, most advanced EW technology to create a highly mission-customized solution so that SOCOM’s fleet remains capable and protected in the harshest of environments,” explained Brian Walters, vice president and general manager of BAE’s Electronic Combat Solutions. “This award builds on our strong EW legacy and extends our proven capability to large fixed-wing aircraft.”
The RFCM system is a platform-level system solution that will expand the operational capabilities of these two aircraft, allowing them to detect and defeat both ground and airborne threats. The system provides situational awareness, precision geo-location capabilities, and RF countermeasures functionality. These countermeasures functions help detect, disrupt, and defeat threats in the battlespace and beyond a pilot’s line of sight. The RFCM is designed to penetrate modern integrated air defense systems, providing rapid response capabilities and enhanced protection for flight crews.
