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BAE SYSTEMS receives $80 million in compass call contracts

12 Jul 2001

BAE Systems has received two contracts from the U.S. Air Force totalling more than $80 million to upgrade EC-130H & Compass Call aircraft. The company's Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) business unit based in Nashua, New Hampshire, will enhance and modernise various systems onboard the aircraft to support the USAF Block 35 Upgrade programme. Compass Call is a modified version of the Air Force's C-130 Hercules aircraft configured to perform tactical command, control and communications countermeasures.

Under the first contract, IEWS will provide project management, technical leadership and support to produce the next-generation Compass Call Mission Crew Simulator (CCMCS). The simulator will train technical personnel on the current configuration of Compass Call and will assist aircrews with mission readiness. AAI Corporation, Hunt Valley, Maryland, will serve as a major subcontractor and will be responsible for the physical build and software development. The CCMCS is scheduled for delivery to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in November 2003.

As prime contractor and system integrator on the second award, IEWS will upgrade hardware and line replaceable units (LRUs) which will provide increased capability and reliability on the aircraft. Included in the first production lot is the Tactical Radio Acquisition Countermeasures System (TRACS) receiver, enhancements to the RF distribution and frequency system, as well as a number of signal processing improvements.

After successful testing, production kits will be fabricated and integrated in all mission aircraft. A second production lot comprising five kits, spares and test stand upgrades could be exercised in early 2002. A total of 14 kits, initial spares and logistic support updates will be procured in total. IEWS has produced electronic hardware and software for Compass Call since the 1980s.

Compass Call missions are flown primarily in support of tactical air operations but can also provide information warfare capabilities to ground and sea forces. The aircraft employs surgical jamming to prevent communication or degrade the transfer of information essential to command and control of weapon systems and other resources. Compass Call has demonstrated its effectiveness on enemy command and control networks during U.S. Operations Just Cause and Desert Storm.

Information & Electronic Warfare Systems, part of BAE Systems North America, employs 4,400 people at eight major facilities in five 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. Other major business areas include microwave, mission and space electronics; infrared imaging; and automated mission planning systems.

BAE Systems North America employs 22,000 people in the design, development, integration, manufacture and support of a wide range of advanced aerospace products and intelligent electronic systems for government and commercial customers.