Military

EADS Technology enhances Aircraft Protection

Core element of EW systems newly developed

Paris, 14 June 2003

Advanced defence technologies of EADS open up unprecedented opportunities in the field of aircraft electronic self-protection.

As announced by the company during Paris Airshow, its Airborne Systems unit, part of the future Defence Electronics Business Unit of EADS, has developed and successfully tested a third generation Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM), the key element of modern electronic warfare systems. The DRFM on board combat or transport aircraft as well as naval vessels can manipulate hostile radar signals before retransmission. Thus, the threatened platform is able to electronically hide its position or identity against missile attacks. To do this, the newly developed techniques generator of the DRFM creates deceptive range, Doppler or other signal falsification which makes accurate tracking of the aircraft by air defence radars extremely difficult.

"The new jamming technologies we have developed in this company-financed project decisively increase the effectiveness and security of aircraft in military and humanitarian missions. Without state-of-the-art electronic self-protection, airplanes cannot be operationally used in modern threat scenarios", explained Johann Heitzmann, designated Head of the future EADS Defence Electronics unit.

The newly developed DRFM combines unprecedented instantaneous bandwidth with very high frequency accuracy and multi-threat capability. It has considerable growth potential due to its software programmability. The DRFM currently is under production.

EADS Defence Electronics (DE) with approx. 3.400 employees and locations in Germany, France, Belgium and the USA is one of the most important suppliers of radar, avionics and EW systems for all services. Among other programmes, DE participates in the production of the Eurofighter radar and contributes electronics sub-systems for the A400M, the Tiger helicopter and the frigates and corvettes of the German Navy.

EADS is a global aerospace and defence leader, and the world's second largest in terms of revenues. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technologies, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. Its family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft maker Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; Astrium, the space company and MBDA, the world's second largest missile company.

Your points of contact:

EADS Systems & Defence Electronics
Lothar Belz
Tel: +49 (731) 392 36 81
Fax: +49 (731) 392 3755
E-Mail: lothar.belz@sysde.eads.net