Raytheon awarded $80 million contract for revolutionary Electronic Warfare prototype for F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet

In a groundbreaking move towards the future of electronic warfare, the United States Navy has awarded Raytheon an $80 million contract for the development of an Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) prototype. This state-of-the-art system is set to replace the existing AN/ALQ-214 integrated defensive electronic countermeasure and AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

150608-N-EH855-654 WATERS NEAR GUAM (June 8, 2015) Capt. William Koyama, commander, carrier air wing (CVW) 5, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Dambusters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, after completing his 4000th flight hour. George Washington and its embarked air wing, CVW 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Mai/Released)

The ADVEW prototype, heralded as a one-box solution, represents a significant leap forward in electronic warfare capabilities for the backbone of the Navy’s carrier air wing. Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products & Solutions at Raytheon, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “These advancements are paving the way for the next generation of electronic warfare.”

The innovative approach involves consolidating and replacing the legacy systems with a unified solution designed to deliver superior electronic warfare capabilities throughout the lifetime of the Super Hornet. Rosselli emphasized, “We are completely replacing and consolidating the legacy systems into a one-box solution that will deliver a generational refresh to the electronic warfare capability for the lifetime of the Super Hornet.”

Raytheon’s ADVEW offering is expected to provide substantial performance upgrades by modernizing existing electronic warfare systems into a single, integrated component. The solution will incorporate a government-defined open architecture, aligning closely with and integrating seamlessly with other combat-proven, radio frequency sensors and effectors employed by the Super Hornet.

One of the primary advantages of ADVEW is its potential to ensure that F/A-18E/Fs maintain their operational electronic warfare advantage while significantly improving survivability against advanced, complex threats. Development and testing of ADVEW will predominantly take place in Goleta, California. The prototype will undergo a rigorous 36-month testing phase, including preliminary design review, critical design review, and flight testing.

For more information, hit the Source below

Source