BAE Systems has received a $491 million contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suites for the Block 4 version of the F-35 fighter, adding to the 1,200 F-35 EW systems it has delivered to date.
BAE’s work will be done in support of Lot 17 F-35s, with production under the contract starting in mid-2024 and continuing into 2025.
By combining adaptive hardware and gradual software updates, BAE said the powerful Block 4 systems will hasten the delivery of new EW capabilities to warfighters.
“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, vice president of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems.
The BAE official also noted that the EW system will lower US engineering and sustainment costs while assisting warfighters in carrying out operations for the US defence department and its allies.
In particular, the hardware and software of the Block 4 EW systems will be greatly improved, enhancing sensor and signal processing capabilities.
BAE also said the system will be better able to detect numerous dangers at once as well as difficult-to-observe hazards due to new, high-performance sensors.
“Our modern facilities allow us to manufacture complex, intricate electronics at scale to deliver an affordable EW capability,” said Chris Rossi, director of F-35 production at BAE Systems.
Rossi continued, “The flexibility of our active production line will allow us to seamlessly transition to the Block 4 design without skipping a beat.”
BAE Systems said the AN/ASQ-239 provides F-35s with fully integrated offensive and defence EW capabilities, including long-range threat warning, self-protection, and targeting support.
It also provides 360-degree, full-spectrum situational awareness and rapid-response capabilities – allowing the F-35 to evade, engage, counter, and jam threats, and reach well-defended targets, according to BAE.
