ITT Exelis (XLS) announced another successful demonstration of its Advanced Defensive Electronic Warfare System (AIDEWS).
In a cooperative effort between the Chilean Air Force, U.S. Air Force, and Exelis, a series of multi-ship F-16 missions demonstrated the latest enhancements in the system’s air-to-air electronic warfare capability.
Pilots of Fuerza Area de Chile (FACh) Squadron No 3 at Los Condores Air Base, Chile, flew six missions on F-16 Block 50 aircraft from July 4 to 18, 2012. Those missions effectively demonstrated the performance of AIDEWS Block 5.2 against multiple airborne fire control radars with overlapping operating frequencies. This flight effort culminates a year of planning and coordination by FACh and U.S. personnel, as well as extensive laboratory and flight testing in the U.S. At the conclusion of flight operations, FACh officials expressed confidence in AIDEWS as a “critical operational asset.”
This new, updated Block 5.2 configuration supports the upcoming delivery of combat capable electronic warfare mission data to five countries with AIDEWS equipped F-16s.
“Electronic warfare technology is constantly advancing,” said Stuart Altman, Exelis Electronic Systems business area lead for AIDEWS. “These test flight successes demonstrate our commitment to having the best possible technology to ensure our international allies can complete their missions, avoiding and defeating any threats, and returning safely.”
AIDEWS is built upon the proven ALQ-211 family of electronic warfare systems now in use to support a broad range of U.S. and allied defense customers on many aircraft. These include versions of the CV-22, MH-47, MH-60, F-16, Boeing 737s, NH-90, and several other platforms. The system is currently in full production with more than 160 systems under contract for six nations as part of the F-16 Foreign Military Sales program.
ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion.
