Making the Special C-130s Harder to Find, Hit

BAe Systems has been selected by Boeing to provide the AN/ALQ-196 Low Band Jammer for the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command (AFSOC). BAe will work with the prime contractor, Boeing (in Fort Walton Beach, FL), to integrate the ALQ-196 Low Band Jammer onboard AFSOC's MC-130H Talon II and AC-130U gunship aircraft.

The ALQ-196 gives aircrews a highly effective defense against current and future radio frequency (RF) missile threats. The ALQ-196 system has been in operation on AFSOC MC-130E Talon I aircraft since 1994 and a similar system onboard on the Air Force's U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft has proven its effectiveness for more than two decades.

"The unique and critical mission of our Special Operations forces demands the highest level of electronic protection available today," said Don Donovan, IEWS vice president and general manager for the Electronic Warfare/Electronic Protection line of business. "By outfitting these AFSOC aircraft with the ALQ-196, we are proud to provide the Air Force with the outstanding capability that these forces both demand and deserve."

MC-130 aircrews work closely with Army, Navy, and Air Force Special Operations forces. Primary missions are day and night, all weather infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces in hostile or denied territory. AC-130 primary missions include close air support, armed reconnaissance and air interdiction.

The Low Band Jammer award follows an earlier award from Boeing last November, in which BAE SYSTEMS was also selected to develop and produce a high-powered fiber optic towed decoy (HPFOTD) system for the U.S. Air Force's MC-130 E/H and AC-130 U/H aircraft. BAe will provide a system with up to eight retrievable decoys. With this system, the decoy will be deployed when needed and retrieved, instead of being severed like current towed decoy systems. The HPFOTD converts, amplifies and radiates techniques that are used to defeat radar-guided missiles. That contract is expected to be worth in excess of $100 million over the next five years.

FMI: www.baesystems.com