BAE Systems to use infrared sensors in next-generation Army missile warning system to protect helicopters

Aug. 6, 2020
The LIMWS is designed to be compatible in size, weight, and power consumption with current Army aircraft, with compatibility in pilot interfaces.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems A $179 million contract to produce the next-generation Missile Warning System (MWS) to protect the Army's helicopters. New Atlas reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

6 Aug. 2020 -- Part of the service's Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) program, the MWS is designed to improve threat detection and survivability in contested environments.

MWS devices represent a key part of most modern air defense systems, and they require constant upgrading to deal with increasingly sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons. The new BAE LIMWS is based on the company's 2-Color Advanced Warning System (2CAWS) processor, which is designed to operate in the harsh conditions common to helicopters.

The 2CAWS uses two infrared sensors operating on two different parts of the IR band to identify threats, while providing high-bandwidth digital processing capacity combined with advanced machine learning missile warning algorithms to minimize false positives in high-clutter situations. The processor also includes fiber optic cables for fast data transmission.

Related: Navy orders laser-based missile warning system from Leonardo DRS for electro-optical helicopter defense

Related: Air Force chooses Elbit to provide infrared missile warning systems in upgrades to F-16 jet fighters

Related: Northrop Grumman to provide threat warning sensors for large aircraft infrared countermeasures system

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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