PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Military avionics experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. are preparing to integrate new electronic warfare (EW) systems into the avionics systems of lot-17 F-35 jet fighter-bombers for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Officials of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced a $56.1 million order Thursday to the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth, Texas, for long-lead material and engineering support to ensure production of the AN/ASQ-239 EW and countermeasures system for the F-35 stays on schedule for lot-17 deliveries.
The AN/ASQ-239 EW avionics is designed and manufactured for the Lockheed Martin F-35 combat jet by the BAE Systems Electronic Systems segment in Nashua, N.H. The system provides the F-35 with 360-degree situational awareness and end-to-end capabilities.
The AN/ASQ-239 provides offensive and defensive options to enable the F-35 to identify, monitor, analyze, and respond to threats like radar-guided anti-aircraft missile batteries and air-search radars.
The system makes the most of detection ranges and gives the F-35 pilot evasion, engagement, countermeasure, and jamming options. The AN/ASQ-239 provides broadband protection to help the F-35 reach well-defended targets and suppress enemy radars.
This system can operate in signal-dense environments and provide the F-35 with radio frequency and infrared countermeasures, and rapid response capabilities. The AN/ASQ-239 has an electronics architecture that enables designers to add new capabilities.
The AN/ASQ-239 has Integrated radar warning, targeting support, and countermeasures; reduced long-term life cycle cost; increased situational awareness; rapid response capabilities to protect the aircrew; threat warning; and ability to reach well-defended targets.
This order will help continue Block 4 EW development for the F-35 without creating a gap in engineering resources.
On this order Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems will do the work in Nashua, N.H., and in Fort Worth, Texas, and should be finished by this December.
For more information contact Lockheed Martin Aeronautics online at www.lockheedmartin.com, BAE Systems Electronic Systems at www.baesystems.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
