The Electronic Combat Systems division of BAE Systems is marketing a new airborne digital electronic warfare (EW) protection system for export. Trademarked Storm EW, the company calls it scaleable, modular, fully internal, and platform agnostic. It works across the spectrum and permits third-party software and programming. Its main application would likely be the large number of F-16s in worldwide service, although it can also protect large aircraft such as transports and tankers.
The U.S.-based division of BAE Systems serves as the premier supplier of EW systems to U.S. military aircraft, but it has also sold platforms to more than 65 countries over the years. Major contracts in the U.S. include the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) for the new F-15EX and for retrofit to some F-15Es and the EW system for upcoming Block 4 F-35s.
According to Craig Nieman, director of business development for tactical air at BAE Systems, air forces neglected EW upgrades over the past two decades, when forces took for granted air dominance over the skies of Afghanistan and Iraq, for example.
Elsewhere, though, potential adversaries have introduced advanced air defense systems. In particular, surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems are now highly mobile, feature longer ranges, and operate in broad frequencies, sometimes with passive guidance. Moreover, air-to-air (AAM) missiles system also have increased range and maneuverability, plus anti-jam capability. “The threat rings are expanding, and our defensive systems are lagging behind,” said Nieman.
He explained that the legacy analog EW systems fitted to many military aircraft offer only limited situational awareness and potential to defeat advancing threats. They scan only one quadrant at a time and require a library of tables to identify and counter the threats.
In contrast, advanced EW systems are physics-based, offering constant 360-degree detection and rapid response to every radar within the horizon and across the spectrum, including those with new radar waveforms and war reserve modes. They “learn” from every mission, and can continuously be upgraded through software and swappable subcomponent modules. According to Nieman, BAE Systems has invested more than $3 billion in advanced EW over the past two decades.
“We have something that’s real; now it’s an integration issue,” he said. The company forecasts a $5 billion market for Storm EW over the next five years, and $15 billion over 15 years. Nieman said that the product is ITAR-controlled but exportable to a wide range of countries, most likely via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, but with Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) also possible.
Another key product from this division of BAE Systems is the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). First fielded in 2005, the EO/IR sensor’s design allows it to detect man-portable SAMs so that they can be countered by chaff, flare, and RF decoy countermeasures, as well as laser DIRCM and ATIRCM systems. It appears on nearly all the U.S. Army’s aircraft and helicopters and has been exported to 17 countries for installation on over 30 different platforms.
The latest versions of the CMWS integrate hostile fire indication, missile warning and data recording capabilities into one unit. A next-generation development named 2-Color Advanced Warning System (2CAWS) features new processors to handle new and emerging threats.