BAE Systems Australia is to put its ALR-2002 radar warning receiver (RWR) and sensor-independent integrated defensive aids suite controller into full-rate production after being awarded an A$135 million ($105 million) contract last week to upgrade the electronic warfare self-protection (EWSP) suites on Australian army helicopters.
ALR-2002D suites will be fitted to six Boeing CH-47D Chinook transports and 34 Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk utility helicopters, with initial priority to be given to modifying 12 Black Hawks to support special forces operations. The company's ALR-2002B has also been formally selected for installation with the Royal Australian Air Force's Boeing AF-18 Hornet fighters as part of an ongoing upgrade programme, with an estimated A$65 million contract award expected later this year.
The decision came despite strong opposition to the ALR-2002 from within the RAAF, which had pushed for an EWSP upgrade based on the Raytheon ALR-67(V) 3 RWR selected for the US Navy's Hornet fleet.
BAE Systems Australia chief executive Jim McDowell last year privately warned the Australian government that his company would close down its electronic warfare-related activities in Australia unless it secured a minimum order for 50 ALR-2002 units.
Australian defence minister Robert Hill announced a low-rate initial production order for the ALR-2002 during last year's federal election campaign. The A$8.9 million order for five generic ALR-2002 units was signed last September, without a decision on whether to proceed with platform integration.
The February army contract marks the first time long-standing Australian plans for the rationalisation of its military aircraft EWSP systems has been at least partially achieved by one service using two baseline suites.
The ALR-2002 upgrades will be completed by 2009, while the army's Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters and its planned fleet of MRH90 transports will be fitted with a common Thales EWSP system.
In contrast, the RAAF will continue to operate six different EWSP suite types despite the ALR-2002 decision.
PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
Source: Flight International
