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BAE SYSTEMS successfully tests fibre-optic towed decoys

29 Jul 2002

The U.S. Air Force successfully completed critical flight tests of BAE Systems AN/ALE-55 Fiber Optic Towed Device (FOTD) to demonstrate fiber optic technology in towed decoys.

The flight tests, conducted June 25 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, measured electrical and fiber optic continuity of an FOTD deployed from a B-1B aircraft. For the first deployment, the FOTD maintained continuity in excess of two hours. A second deployment resulted in more than 90 minutes of continuity.

"This flight test is the best performance of BAE Systems ALE-55 the Air Force has seen to date," said Lt. Col. Pete Knudsen, B-1B Electronic Warfare Program Manager, Special Programs Office." It shows significant progress and promise for future maturation."

The ALE-55 FOTD, manufactured by BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS), Nashua, N.H., is an integral component of the joint U.S. Navy - U.S. Air Force Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM) system. The towed decoy and fiber optic technology demonstrated is considered critical for the success of the IDECM program.

Capt. Robert Boyd, U.S. Navy (PMA-272) Program Manager, noted the test results as "a significant accomplishment for the IDECM program. We are very excited about the future of the program and look forward to the next phase of testing for the FOTD -- operational environmental test conditions."

Mike Williams, IEWS' Director of RFCM, said, "We are extremely pleased with our in-flight testing on the B-1B. During recent months, we successfully demonstrated the ability to deploy and maintain electrical optic continuity on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F aircraft under extreme flight conditions. And now with our B-1B flight testing, we have demonstrated the decoy's ability to not only operate on different aircraft, but to successfully operate for extended periods of time."

IDECM incorporates onboard high sensitivity receivers, developed by ITT Industries' Avionics Division, and off-board countermeasures, which include the high-powered FOTD and deployment canister developed by BAE Systems.

IDECM provides a highly effective electronic warfare defense for U.S. military aircraft against current and future RF missile threats.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 22,000 Americans who live and work in 30 States and Washington, D.C. -- dedicated to solving our customers needs with both highly innovative and leading-edge solutions across the defense electronics, systems, information technology and services arenas.

BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems employs more than 4,700 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.