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BAE SYSTEMS IDECM system begins operational evaluation

17 Dec 2002

BAE Systems and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed Development Testing (DT) and have entered Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) for the onboard portion of the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System (IDECM) Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM) system.

Upon successful completion of Operational Evaluation, the system will enter full rate production and will be deployed on Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

The AN/ALQ-214 (V), developed by partner ITT Industries, is an integral component of the joint U.S. Navy - U.S. Air Force IDECM RFCM system, developed by BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS). The ALQ-214 provides onboard electronic defensive capabilities for U.S. military aircraft.

"This is a significant accomplishment for the IDECM programme," said Capt. Robert Boyd, U.S. Navy (PMA-272) program manager. "The ALQ-214's completing DT and starting OPEVAL is an important step in providing our Super Hornet crews with the highly effective self-protection system they need."

The next phase of the IDECM program incorporates the onboard defensive system with the AN/ALE-55 fibre optic towed decoy (FOTD) - a high-powered off-board transmitter.

John Lydiard, BAE Systems vice president of Countermeasures at IEWS, said IDECM is the first 'truly integrated' electronic warfare suite developed for the U.S. military that links the aircraft's radar warning system, mission computer, RFCM system, and fibre optic towed decoy into a unified defensive system. "I am very pleased with this recent success. IDECM protects flight crews against not only the threats they face today, but also against the threats they will face tomorrow," he said.

IDECM incorporates onboard high-sensitivity receivers, designed by ITT Industries' Avionics Division, Clifton, N.J., and off-board countermeasures, which include the high-powered FOTD and deployment canister developed by BAE Systems. IDECM provides a highly effective electronic warfare defence for U.S. military aircraft against current and future RF missile threats.