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BAE SYSTEMS To Provide More AIMS Antennas For U.S. And Allied Navies

04 Aug 2003

(Note to Editors: This story supplements a July 2003 announcement by the Department of Defense.)

BAE Systems has received a $10.5 million contract for ten AIMS antenna group systems for the U.S. Navy and for the governments of Korea and Japan.

Designated the OE-120( )/UPX, the AIMS antenna group is a significant part of the AIMS -- an acronym for Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System, Identification, Friend or Foe, MKXII, System. The AIMS antenna group is comprised of an antenna, antenna position programmer and a below-deck control unit used to locate and identify aircraft as friend or foe.

BAE Systems will provide six AIMS systems for the U.S. Navys DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers and CVN-68 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. In addition, the Republic of Korea will receive three AIMS antenna groups for their KDX-III class destroyers, and one system will be delivered to Japan for their DDG-173 Kongo class destroyer.

The AIMS antenna consists of 64 radiating elements arrayed in a circle around the ships mast. Unlike conventional IFF systems, which employ mechanically rotated antennas, the AIMS antenna elements remain stationary while the beam is steered electronically to scan a full 360 degrees around the ship. The beam can also be positioned selectively in any direction within microseconds and has a continuous scan rate of up to 90 revolutions per minute.

Work will be performed at BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems unit in Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed in December 2005. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has 100,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with 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 5,500 people at ten major facilities in eight 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.