Navy asks Northrop Grumman to build missile-defense electronic warfare (EW) for slow-flying aircraft
Summary points:
- Northrop Grumman will provide AN/AAR-47(V) missile-warning systems for foreign U.S. allies.
- The AN/AAR-47 detects enemy heat-seeking missiles, and automatically deploys flares to counter infrared-guided missiles.
- The system is for slow-moving aircraft like helicopters, V-22 Ospreys, and C-130 and C-17 cargo planes.
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Missile-defense experts at Northrop Grumman Corp. will build AN/AAR-47 (V) missile-warning systems for U.S. Navy slow-flying aircraft under terms of an $8.3 million order announced in late June.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Northrop Grumman Weapons System Division in Northridge, Calif., AN/AAR-47 missile warning set weapons replaceable assemblies.
The AN/AAR-47 is an electronic warfare (EW) system that helps protect aircraft from heat-seeking and laser-guided missiles, as well as from unguided munitions by detecting incoming threats, warning the pilot, and dispensing countermeasures.
The order is for foreign military customers, and consists of 154 sensors, 42 computer processors, and 11 countermeasures signals simulator test gun sets.
Electro-optical countermeasures
The AN/AAR-47 aircraft missile-defense system consists of electro-optical countermeasure sensors, countermeasure signal processors, and countermeasure signal simulators. The system is designed primarily for relatively slow-moving aircraft like helicopters and cargo turboprops.
Against guided missiles, the system automatically initiates countermeasures by sending a command signal to the countermeasures dispensing set, which deploys flares in attempts to confuse the missile's infrared guidance.
AN/AAR-47 system offers multi-threat warning with sensor pre-processing for high-clutter environments. It is installed on Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps helicopters, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, the Air Force C-5, C-141, and C-17 cargo jets, the c-130 utility turboprop, and other aircraft.
Tell me more about the AN/AAR-47 aircraft missile-defense system
- The AN/AAR-47 missile approach warning system (MAWS) is a passive infrared missile-defensive sensor suite that protects slow-moving military aircraft like helicopters and transports from incoming anti-aircraft missiles. It has four optical sensor converters mounted around the airframe, a central processor, and a cockpit display unit.
The system interfaces with radar signal-detecting sets, countermeasures dispensing sets, multi-function cockpit displays, and pilot intercom systems.
The AN/AAR-47 has a computer processor that weighs about 16.25 pounds, a control indicator that weighs about 2 pounds, and optical sensor converters that weigh about 3.5 pounds each.
On this order Northrop Grumman will do the work in Northridge, Calif., and should be finished by November 2027. For more information contact the Northrop Grumman Weapons System Division online at www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/advanced-weapons/aircraft-warfare-systems, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
