Raytheon to Start Extensive Work

Raytheon has signed a $242 million contract with the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense to produce the "Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite" of electronic warfare equipment for the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Block 52+ F-16 aircraft fleet. The program, dubbed "ASPIS II," is a new, enhanced version of the original ASPIS system delivered in the late 1990s for the HAF Block 30/50 F-16s. The company notes that this is one of the largest contracts for electronic warfare systems in its history.

"This is a watershed moment in the history of Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems," said Pat Hurley, vice president and general manager of Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems. "We have a long, valued tradition of working with the Hellenic Air Force, and we're proud that this will continue for many years to come. Our ability to produce integrated electronic warfare solutions has never been greater, and we're committed to providing the Greek customer a highly capable, highly advanced self-protection suite." From 1997 to 1999, 80 ASPIS systems were delivered to the HAF. Raytheon EW Systems has a strong working partnership with the HAF which extends over several decades and includes the legacy self-protection systems on the A-7 and F-4 aircraft as well as the earlier F-16s.

The ASPIS II contract calls for a total of 60 complete integrated electronic warfare suites, consisting of the ALR-93(V) threat warning system, ALQ-187 jammer, and ALE-47 chaff/flare dispenser. The contract is expected to take effect in early summer. Each of the new suites incorporates advanced signal processing including a digital radio frequency (RF) memory capability.

A Lot of Money; a Lot of Value...

"ASPIS II provides exceptional value for the money," says Tom Burgher, Raytheon Advanced Countermeasures director, "because it protects the entire Hellenic Air Force fleet of new and earlier F-16 aircraft with the same modern integrated EW capabilities." In addition to the 60 new F-16 Block 52+ ASPIS II suites, the contract calls for another 29 ALQ-187 jammers to equip existing HAF Block 30/50 F-16 aircraft, as well as an upgrade program to enhance current ASPIS jammers with digital RF memory capability. Upon completion of the contract, including capabilities provided as offset benefits, the entire fleet of HAF F-16 aircraft will be equipped with ASPIS II capabilities.

Raytheon Applauds Domestic Partners, Athenian Partners

Raytheon is supported by several domestic and international partners on the program. The ALR-93(V) radar warning receiver (RWR) is provided by Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division.

BAE Systems provides the ALE-47 chaff/flare dispenser. As part of an aggressive effort to share work with Greek industry, five in-country subcontractors will also be performing a significant role on the program. INTRACOM (Athens, Greece) will build co-production transmitters used in the jammer system as well as processor cards for the RWR; Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), Tanagra, Greece, is providing RWR processor integration and test, cockpit equipment, and ASPIS II system installation and checkout on F-16 Block 52+ aircraft; SONAK (also of Athens) provides flight line test equipment and in-country retrofit of digital RF memories; Miltech (Athens) will manufacture countermeasure dispensers; and Interoperability Systems International (Athens) will provide cabling for the ASPIS II in-country test facility.

"In addition to providing significant work to qualified Greek industry," Burgher also said, "many of these companies will become a qualified source for future ASPIS II sales."

FMI: www.raytheon.com