A Raytheon executive says the US Army wants to buy three newly designed pods that repackage the communications jamming system for the Boeing EA-18G Growler for use in the General Atomics MQ-1C Sky Warrior.
Raytheon began developing the new pod, dubbed communications electronic attack with surveillance and reconnaissance (Ceasar), about a year ago, and demonstrated the system for the first time in August, says Chris Keefer, programme manager for advanced programmes.
A mock-up of the 62kg (137lb) pod quickly attracted the interest of army officials. The army wants direct control of a system that can monitor and jam communications signals, rather than rely on support from the navy's escort fighters or the air force's EC-130 Compass Call fleet, Keefer says.
 |
|---|
© US Navy |
Ceasar is derived from the Raytheon AN-227 communications countermeastures systems installed on the EA-18Gs. Raytheon builds a new software control system for the Ceasar pod.
The MQ-1C-mounted version is designed to jam communications signals, but it can also be used simply to monitor or eavesdrop.
The pod also is designed to accommodate new missions that could be added later. The army or other customers could add other signals intelligence receivers to the Ceasar payload at a later date, he says.
The programme was supported by both the Naval Air Warfare Center's division based in Crane, Indiana, and SAIC. The pod's fuselage was manufactured by Zivko Aeronautics.
Source: Flight International
