AIDEWS completes EM compatibility testing for use on F-16s for Pakistan

CLIFTON, N.J., 21 Nov. 2012. The ITT Exelis (NYSE:XLS) Electronic Systems division, headquartered in Clifton, N.J., have completed electromagnetic compatibility testing of its advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare suite (AIDEWS) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Six weeks of testing was performed on multiple radio frequency systems operating simultaneously in an F-16 carrying the AIDEWS pod. The team measured pod antenna patterns on the F-16, as well as system interoperability between the AIDEWS jamming pod, fire control radar and ALR-69 radar warning receiver.

The testing, part of the qualification process for the Pakistan F-16 upgrade program, was conducted to ensure AIDEWS will work with other systems integrated into the aircraft, and verify that the multiple systems will not interfere with one another. This chamber-based testing also helps to reduce the amount of flight testing needed to verify the electronic warfare system's performance, reducing the cost and time needed to qualify a system.

AIDEWS provides fighter aircraft with integrated radar warning and RF countermeasures and advanced stand-alone radar warning. The system uses a modular approach in an externally mounted pod, either for EW System upgrades or to add electronic warfare capability to an array of fighter aircraft. AIDEWS is built upon the ALQ-211 family of electronic warfare systems now in use to support U.S. and allied defense customers on many aircraft. The system is currently in full production with more than 160 systems under contract for six nations as part of the F-16 Foreign Military Sales program.