Designed for integration on the MH-60R/MH-60S helicopters, the AN/ALQ-248 is a self-contained EW pod hosting both high sensitivity receiver and electronic attack subsystems. (Lockheed Martin + Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)
Lockheed Martin has been funded by the US Navy (USN) to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) capability.
Under the AOEW programme, the company's Rotary and Mission Systems business is developing the podded AN/ALQ-248 AOEW Active Mission Payload (AMP) to provide USN battle groups with enhanced electronic surveillance and countermeasure capabilities against anti-ship missile threats. The AOEW AMP is planned for deployment on MH-60R and MH-60S shipborne helicopters.
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on 29 September announced that it had awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems a USD17.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to exercise options for AOEW LRIP units. Work is expected to complete by May 2024.
Offtake numbers were not disclosed. However, the navy has previously stated that it plans to procure four LRIP units under fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding.
The AN/ALQ-248 is a self-contained EW pod hosting both high sensitivity receiver and electronic attack (EA) subsystems. The system is designed to work independently, or in co-ordination with the shipborne AN/SLQ-32(V)6 and (V)7 EW systems.
Following receipt of an AOEW AMP preliminary design contract in late 2016, Lockheed Martin received an engineering and manufacturing development award from NAVSEA in September 2017. Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions is Lockheed Martin's partner and major subcontractor for the AN/ALQ-248.
A number of engineering development models are now supporting AOEW AMP test and certification activities. Developmental and operational testing is scheduled to complete in FY 2023.
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