Will Sustain US Air Force Electronic Warfare Technology For Large Aircraft

The USAF has awarded a four-year, $55 million contract to Harris Corporation to perform sustainment work on the electronic warfare system used by the U.S. Air Force to protect B-52s and C-130s from radar-guided threats. The contract was received during the first quarter of Harris' fiscal 2017.

“With the B-52 set to remain a key component of U.S. strategic airpower for the next two decades, it is essential that it be equipped with innovative electronic warfare technology capable of defeating future threats.”

Harris will redesign one of the ALQ-172’s Line Replaceable Units (LRU-1) as part of wider efforts to increase the electronic warfare suite’s reliability, supportability and availability.

“Hostile air defense systems are becoming more sophisticated and accessible in global conflict zones,” said Ed Zoiss, president, Harris Electronic Systems. “With the B-52 set to remain a key component of U.S. strategic airpower for the next two decades, it is essential that it be equipped with innovative electronic warfare technology capable of defeating future threats.”

In addition to a new LRU design, Harris will develop software, support customer testing and other solutions for the U.S. Air Force. In 2015, Harris received a series of orders to perform similar redesigns of other ALQ-172.

(Image provided with Harris Corporation news release)

FMI: www.harris.com