BAE Systems to upgrade F-35 EW capabilities

BAE Systems has received a $493m contract modification from Lockheed Martin to upgrade the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare (EW) system for the F-35 Lightning II which is intended to deliver improved situational awareness and electromagnetic attack and countermeasures capabilities.

Under the contract, announced on December 15, BAE Systems will deliver core hardware for the F-35’s AN/ASQ-239, with the design also allowing for future upgrades in order to reduce lifecycle and retrofit costs and support faster software updates across the fleet.

F-35A — **The F-35 fighter contains advanced integrated electronic warfare and sensor capabilities, considered to be a key advantage in the current battlespace.** US Air Force/Staff Sgt Andrew Lee

“The capabilities we will deliver in this contract are foundational and will be leveraged to other platforms to ensure all warfighters have the most advanced EW capability at the ready,” said Lisa Aucoin, vice president of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems.

BAE Systems is a partner to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 programme, manufacturing the aft fuselage, active inceptor control system, and vehicle management computer for each F-35 at sites in the UK, Australia, and the US.