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BAE SYSTEMS upgrading countermeasures on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters

10 May 2001

Ref.: 063/2001

BAE Systems is upgrading countermeasures systems on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters under a $6 million contract from the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM). The upgraded system -- the AN/ALQ-144A Countermeasures Set -- provides comprehensive protection against a wide spectrum of infrared-guided missile threats.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) will provide 240 upgraded systems to be mounted primarily on Marine Corps AH-1 and UH-1 helicopters. Deliveries will begin in May and will be completed by December 2001. An option for an additional 60 systems could bring the total value of the contract to nearly $7 million.

"We're pleased to add this enhanced capability to our helicopters," said Naval Air Systems Command Programme Manager, Major Matthew Smith-Meck. "The ALQ-144A is a proven countermeasure against many existing IR missiles. Its inclusion on our platforms provides a high level of protection to our aviation community."

Maurice (Moe) LeBlanc, IEWS' Self-Protection Solutions - IRCM Manager, said: "The ALQ-144A was extremely effective for the Army during the Gulf War and in the Balkans, and continues to perform effectively today. We're proud to be providing the next-generation ALQ-144A systems for the Navy and Marines as well."

The combat-proven ALQ-144A Countermeasures Set is deployed on both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for U.S. Department of Defence components and many foreign countries. The ALQ-144A system can be mounted on either the top or bottom of the airframe. More than 5,000 systems are deployed world-wide.