Chapter 3 header image

SENSORS, ELECTRONIC,
AND INFORMATION WARFARE SYSTEMS

Airborne

AAR-47 MAWS
Missile Approach Warning System

Photo of a Missile Approach Warning System Display

Description: Employed on helicopters and transport aircraft, the AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System warns of threat missile approach by detecting radiation associated with the rocket motor and automatically initiates flare ejection. Detection algorithms are used to discriminate against non-approaching radiation sources. The AAR-47 is a passive, missile-approach warning system consisting of four sensor assemblies housed in two or more sensor domes, a central processing unit, and a control indicator. The Warning System provides attacking missile declaration and sector direction finding and will be interfaced directly to the ALE-39/47 countermeasures dispenser. The AAR-47(V)2 upgrade, which is under development, will add AVR-2 laser warning functionality to existing AAR-47 systems. Without the AAR-47, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft have no infrared missile detection system.

Program Status: Full-Rate Production continues on the third production contract. The Microprocessor Upgrade Program is currently in the testing phase, and production began in FY 1998. Limited follow-on production began in the third quarter of FY 1999 and will continue through FY 2003.

Developer/Manufacturer: Alliant Defense Electronic Systems, Clearwater, Florida.

ALE-47
Countermeasures Dispenser System

Photo of a US Navy P-3c aircraft launching airborne countermeasures

Description: This countermeasures dispenser system is designed to deploy radio frequency and infrared (RF/IR) countermeasures in accordance with a program implemented by the aircrew. The AN/ALE-47 provides the aircrew with a "smart" countermeasures dispensing system, allowing the aircrew to optimize the countermeasures employed against anti-aircraft threats.

Program Status: This continuing joint program, co-managed by Air Force and Navy, is in Full Rate Production. The Navy has procured 295 systems and will acquire 1,427 more through FY 2005.

Developer/Manufacturer: BAE Systems, Austin, Texas (formerly Marconi Aerospace and Tracor).

ALE-50 AAED
Advanced Airborne Expendable Decoy

Photo of an Advanced Airborne Expendable Decoy being towed behind an F/A-18 Hornet

Description: This is an expendable towed decoy designed to provide countermeasures against semi-active radar-guided anti-aircraft threats, thereby increasing the survivability of tactical aircraft. The AN/ALE-50 decoy is deployed when required and cut free before landing.

Program Status: In production. The ALE-50 Multi-Platform Launch Controller (MPLC) is being modified to be compatible with the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) System.

Developer/Manufacturer: Raytheon, Goleta, California.

ALR-67(V)3
Advanced Special Receiver

Description: The AN/ALR-67(V)3 is a radar warning receiver (RWR) designed to meet Navy requirements through the year 2020. This is an upgrade to the ALR-67(V)2 system currently used on F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat, and AV-8B Harrier aircraft. It will enable Navy and Marine Corps tactical aircraft to detect threat radar emissions, enhancing aircrew situational awareness and aircraft survivability.

Program Status: The V(3) program successfully completed EMD phase and Operational Testing in 1999 and was approved for Full-Rate Production. Production quantities will outfit the F/A-18E/F. The AN/ALR-67(V)3 requirements for the F-18C/D, the F-14 Tomcat, and the AV-8B Harrier aircraft are currently unfunded due to fiscal constraints.

Developer/Manufacturer: Raytheon, Los Angeles, California.

APG-65 F/A-18 RUG
Hornet Radar Upgrade

Two men working on the AN/APG-65 RUG Hornet Radar Upgrade

Description: The two phases of the AN/APG-65 Radar Upgrade (RUG) continue in the F/A-18C/D/E/F aircraft. The RUG Phase I upgrade will enhance performance in a hostile electronic countermeasures environment, improve all-weather attack and increase growth potential of the radar. RUG Phase II will provide reconnaissance capability through the use of synthetic aperture radar technology and improved hardware and software.

Program Status:RUG Phase I, currently in production, will complete procurement in Fiscal Year 2005 and installation in FY 2006. Total Phase I program procurement is 176 kits for the F/A-18C/D and 230 kits for the F/A-18E/F. RUG Phase II, also currently in production, will complete procurement in FY 2003 and installation in FY 2004. Total Phase II program procurement is 34 kits.

Developer/Manufacturer: Boeing, St. Louis, Missouri; and Raytheon, El Segundo, California.

APG-79 F/A-18 Super Hornet
Active Electronically
Scanned Array (AESA)

Photo of an APG-79 F/A-18 Super Hornet

Description: The first phase of the F/A-18 AN/APG-73 Active Electronically Scanned Array program continues. The Phase I upgrade will enhance performance and in air-to-air arena, in a hostile electronic countermeasures environment, in the air-to-ground targeting, and provide multi-mode function flexibility. Phase II will provide significant Electronic Warfare improvements to target hostile emitters and provide aircraft Electronic Protect and Electronic Attack functions. Growth provision will allow for reconnaissance capability through the use of synthetic aperture radar technology and improved hardware and software.

Program Status: AESA Phase I has a Milestone II decision in January 2001. Total Phase I program procurement is 282 kits starting in 2007.

Developer/Manufacturer: Boeing, St. Louis, Missouri; and Raytheon, El Segundo, California.

ATARS

Advanced Tactical
Air Reconnaissance System

Photo of an Advanced Tactical Air Reconnaissance System mounted underneath a CIS Navy F-14 aircraft

Description: ATARS is a near-real-time, digital, high-resolution tactical reconnaissance system for the reconnaissance-configured F/A-18D. Combined with the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability of the AN/APG-73 radar, ATARS will provide the F/A-18D with a reconnaissance package capable of day/night, through-the-weather imaging electro-optic/infrared overflight and long-range standoff SAR. ATARS passes data via the Common Data Link (CDL) to the Joint Services Imagery Processing System (JSIPS) and the Marine Corps Tactical Exploitation Group (TEG) for image processing and exploitation.

Program Status: ATARS has been approved for Milestone III FRP phase. IOC was achieved in FY 2000, and a total of 19 ATARS suites are planned.

Developer/Manufacturer: Boeing, St. Louis, Missouri; Lockheed Martin Fairchild, Syosett, New York; and Computing Devices, Hastings, United Kingdom.

AVR-2 LWS Laser Warning System

Photo of Aircraft equipped with the AVR-2 Laser Warning System (LWS)

Description: The AN/AVR-2 Laser Warning System (LWS) for helicopter and transport aircraft provides advance warning of laser energy directed against the aircraft, including both laser range finders and laser guidance systems, enabling the aircrew to take evasive action.

Program Status: In Full-Rate Production.

Developer/Manufacturer: Hughes, Los Angeles, California.

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