SOCOM selects BAE Systems' electronic warfare suite for AC/MC130J fleet
NewsJuly 12, 2017
NASHUA, N.H. U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) officials selected BAE Systems to provide new electronic warfare (EW) systems for its fleet of AC/MC-130J aircraft.
Under contract, Engineers will upgrade the aircraft’s survivability equipment with the company's Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) system that includes the capability to detect, identify, locate, deny, degrade, disrupt, and defeat various threats that aircrews encounter in hostile and challenging environments.
This final selection follows a competition that included a system design phase and critical technology demonstration. The company received a $67 million contract modification to a competitively awarded contract. This new phase of the program is for the systems integration and installation of the EW systems — all to be conducted over the next 30 months. The contract’s total value, including all options, is expected to exceed $300 million.
Engineers designed the RFCM to be compatible for both the Air Force’s AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft, which supports Special Operation Forces missions, including armed over-watch, helicopter refueling, close air support, and interdiction in contested territory.
Read more on electronic warfare:
Electronic warfare and FPGAs: The need for speed
Cognitive electronic warfare: Countering threats posed by adaptive radars
Analysis of modern radar and electronic warfare signals using advanced RF measurement techniques
