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BAE SYSTEMS To Provide Signals Intelligence For Army UAVS

11 Aug 2004

The U.S. Army has selected BAE Systems to begin System Design and Development (SDD) for the Armys Tactical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Payload (TSP).

TSP is a subsystem intended for the Armys tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The payload collects and processes radio frequency energy, which will be displayed on the payload operators work station in a ground processing facility. The system provides the ground tactical commander with an airborne collection capability that is responsive to real time emerging operational intelligence requirements.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) business unit in Nashua, New Hampshire, received the contract June 30 which is valued at $27 million over the next 36 months.

Larrie Cable, BAE Systems vice president of BAE Systems Information Dominance Systems in Hudson, New Hampshire, said, This win validates our core capabilities in the areas of signals exploitation and creation of actionable intelligence.

The airborne payload will be tasked and operated from remote ground locations. It will be able to map enemy emitters in real time on the battlefield. That capability enhances friendly forces situational awareness and helps speed time sensitive targeting of high priority enemy targets.

This capability brings the Army closer to achieving its goal of a networked-enabled combat force at the tactical levels, said Matt Merryman, BAE Systems business development manager. TSP will provide a critical capability to see and understand the enemy on the future battlefields.

Merryman stated the backbone of the payload is the BAE Systems-developed Diamond Software Framework. This object-oriented, open-architecture framework allows the rapid development of capability. And through extensive software reuse, it will reduce total ownership cost to the Army for TSP and other SIGINT programs, Merryman said. Further savings will come from using predominantly commercially available off-the-shelf hardware components.

Another significant advantage of the BAE Systems TSP offering is that it is fully scaleable for employment on other platforms, large or small, Merryman added.

The majority of the work will be done in Hudson, N.H. General Dynamics C4I Systems in Scottsdale, Arizona, will contribute to the program.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of more than 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Warfare Systems employs 6,900 people at 13 major facilities in eight states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. IEWS provides products and services in four major lines of business: Electronic Warfare/Electronic Protection, Electronic Warfare/Information Warfare, Integrated Defense Solutions, and Mission Electronics.