Will Allow Spy Plane Pilots To See Even More

BAE Systems has announced deployment of the company's AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) on US Air Force U-2S reconnaissance airplanes. The system will now be deployed in military operations, after achieving initial operating capability.

The AN/ALQ-221 consists of an integrated Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Electronic Countermeasures system (ECM) designed to give U-2 pilots additional situational awareness. The system also allows self-protection capabilities against numerous current and future threats, according to a company press release.

"Due to the hard work of many agencies, all of the necessary milestones have been satisfied and we declare the AN/ALQ-221 electronic warfare system initial operating capability," said Maj. Gen. Kenneth DeCuir, USAF director of air and space operations. 

The venerable U-2 routinely flies above 70,000 feet, providing US forces and their allies with surveillance and recon information. Last month, the airplanes also saw duty in mapping coastal areas, ahead of Hurricane Rita's advance on the Gulf Coast.

The ADS is the latest advancement in BAE Systems' 40-year work in electronic countermeasures (ECM) technology. The system was designed to be an integral part of the U-2S modernization program, and is tied in the aircraft's avionics and MFD cockpit displays.

"It is extremely rewarding for our team to be able to field such a capable system for protecting U-2 pilots," said John Normand, BAE Systems' U-2 program manager.

System production of the AN/ALQ-221 began in 2004 in the company's New Hampshire facility, and is nearly complete. The last systems are scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force by the end of the month.

FMI: www.baesystems.com, www.af.mil