Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates have all ordered AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) from BAE Systems. The combined orders, all made through U.S. foreign military sales, total $71 million in new business for the company.
CMWS detects incoming infrared-guided missiles to provide a warning and to automatically cue and actuate countermeasures, whether they be laser-based systems or expendable flares. Alongside this core capability, CMWS offers hostile fire indication and it has a recording function. It is typically fitted to slow-flying aircraft such as transports and helicopters.
“Our customers that fly low and slow in dangerous situations face unobserved threats that can strike without warning in seconds,” said Cheryl Paradis, director of Optical Electronic Warfare Systems at BAE Systems. “We level the playing field for pilots and crews with proven threat detection and countermeasures that quickly and automatically engage and defeat threats.”
CMWS has been in production for about 15 years, and more than 3,000 units have been supplied for fitment to over 40 different platforms flying in at least 17 nations. The system has amassed over 4 million combat hours.