By Graham Warwick in Washington DC
BAE Systems has received a potential $1.4 billion contract for missile warning systems to protect US Army fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, as the company's US arm plans to push production beyond 40 systems a month to meet demand.
The AAR-57 common missile warning system (CMWS) is fielded on US and UK aircraft in Afghanistan and Iraq, where it has successfully countered "multiple" man-portable surface-to-air missile attacks, says BAE. The ultraviolet sensor automatically triggers the dispensing of a combination of three different flare types.
The new contract will allow the US Army to buy more than 2,000 systems over five years, and follows a $484 million contract awarded in September 2004 for initial production of 484 systems.
The CMWS is scheduled for installation on virtually all army aircraft except the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and a decision on whether to equip its replacement - the Bell ARH-70A armed reconnaissance helicopter - is pending. Systems have also been delivered to Greece, Kuwait and the UK.
BAE is working to improve the CMWS, adding an ability to detect rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and small-arms fire. The ability to detect an RPG's launch signature has already been demonstrated at various ranges, says Chris Ager, director, infrared countermeasures business development.
Source: Flight International
