BAE Systems has been awarded a $493m contract by Lockheed Martin to “significantly upgrade and modernise the electronic warfare system for the F-35”, enabling the fighter to “quickly detect and address evolving electromagnetic threats”.
Under the contract, BAE Systems say that it will deliver enhanced core hardware for the F-35s EW mission system, known as AN/ASQ-239, and will provide engineering support services and test infrastructure.
“The upgraded system will improve superior situational awareness and electromagnetic attack and countermeasure capabilities with new sensors and more powerful signal processing.”
Lisa Aucoin, vice president of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems, was quoted as saying:
“The capabilities we will deliver in this contract are foundational and will be leveraged to other platforms to ensure all warfighters have the most advanced EW capability at the ready. The highly adaptable mission system will allow our warfighters to outpace evolving threats and defend democracy around the globe.”
According to a statement from BAE Systems:
“The enhanced electronic warfare system’s robust design will enable rapid future upgrades, aligning with the U.S. Department of Defense’s strategy for continuous capability development. The system’s modular architecture will also allow for efficient hardware upgrades that reduce lifecycle and retrofit costs, and support faster software updates across the global F-35 fleet.
The system also includes the Non-Intrusive Electronic Warfare Test Solution (NIEWTS) fault isolation and diagnostics capability, which enables precise troubleshooting that further reduces maintenance costs.”
Isn’t this already being done? Probably a UK attempt to set ground work on its.own stealth gen 5 under development. Betcha.
This is actually part of a hardware and software upgrade that will go into all Blk 4 F-35
All F35 versions, for the US and all other countries operating it?
Tempest is 6th gen and this F35 EW update will probably be done at BAE’s US facilities.
At this point, doubt, if there is any real distinction between a 6th gen or a 5th gen…looks to me…that elements of technology, are smeared between them…I admit I and having a problem keeping up, with what’s planned, what works, and what’s being made new but without upgraded items, and what needs repairs, and what isn’t working… My mind is going to explode…
All of BAE’s EW work for the F-35 is done in the US at its US subsidiaries. There is a firewall between it and the UK operations. The only way the UK benefits from this is in its own F-35’s…