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AIRBORNE ELECTRO-OPTICAL AND INFRARED SYSTEMS
AES- 1 AIRBORNE LASER
MINE-DETECTION SYSTEM (ALMDS)
BRIEFING: The ALMDS is an electro-optic, blue-green laser
system designed to operate from the port side of the MH-60S
helicopter to detect, classify and localize floating and moored
sea mines near the surface using no in-water components.
In flight, the laser makes a wide-swath sweep through the
water, collecting three-dimensional imagery of the water volume. It will provide a strike group with an organic airborne
mine-countermeasures capability, able to respond quickly,
search a wide area and classify mines in littoral waters, straits
and chokepoints.
ALMDS is one of the airborne mine countermeasure systems
that are part of the mine warfare mission package designed
for the LCS. The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman an LRIP
contract in April 2006. The first ALMDS pod was delivered in
January 2007, with 12 delivered by 2014. An additional five
were ordered in February 2015. The ALMDS was deployed to
the Persian Gulf in July 2014 by a detachment of Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron (HSC) 26. IOC was achieved in late 2016.
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . Northrop Grumman Corp.
AIRBORNE ELECTRONIC WARFARE
SYSTEMS
ALQ-99 TACTICAL JAMMING SYSTEM
BRIEFING: The ALQ-99 is an electronic warfare system
designed to jam adversary radar, communications and data-link signals. The system, deployed on EA-6B and EA-18G
electronic attack aircraft, automatically intercepts, processes
and jams adversary signals. Major components include pod-mounted jamming transmitters powered by ram-air turbines.
The ALQ-99 is coupled with the ALQ-218 wideband receiver
system and ALQ-227 communications receiver or USQ- 113
communications countermeasures set.
CONTRACTORS: . . . . . . . . . various
NEXT-GENERATION JAMMER (NGJ)
BRIEFING: The NGJ program will begin to replace the ALQ-99
Tactical Jamming system in 2021. Used on the EA-18G aircraft,
the system is envisioned as a three-increment program, with
each adding to the frequency range covered. Only Increment
1 (Mid-Band) currently is funded and in development. This
increment is designed as a two-pod system, one for each
wing, and addresses the capacity, capability and supportability limitations of the current system. The NGJ uses the latest
in digital and array technologies to provide the fleet with a
robust and rapidly updateable jamming system. When combined with the EA-18G’s comprehensive suite of radar and
communications receivers, electronic warfare officers can
detect, analyze and react to current and future threat systems.
A Critical Design Review is scheduled for 2017.
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems
ALR-66B(V) 3 AND ALR-66C(V) 3 ESM
BRIEFING: The ALR-66B(V) 3 ESM is installed in the P-3C as
its primary electronic intelligence and targeting system to
detect and classify radar emitters for tactical or intelligence
purposes. It features improved sensitivity over the ALR-
66A(V) 3, and replaced the older ALQ- 78 ESM system in
many P-3Cs.
The ALR-66C(V) 3 — installed in the P-3C Anti-Surface
Improvement Program (AIP) version — is interfaced with an
AS- 105 spinning direction-finding antenna. Both versions
send intercepted signals to the EP-2060 pulse analyzer that
analyzes parameters of an intercepted signal.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . Northrop Grumman Corp.
ALR- 95(V) SPECIAL EMITTER
IDENTIFICATION (SEI) PULSE
PROCESSING SYSTEM
BRIEFING: The ALR- 95(V) 1 provides P- 3 AIP aircraft with
integrated conventional pulse processing and SEI capability.
The ALR- 95(V) 1 signal processor combines a video pulse
processor and an SEI capability into a single component. The
SEI capability provides SEI functionality, pulse train analysis
and RF distribution via the ALR-66C(V) 3 system.
The ALR- 95(V) 2 upgrade, completed in 2008, replaced
most ALR- 66 components and improved processing capability.
The latest ALR- 95 upgrade, which began in 2008, will replace
the analog TN613 tuner with a digital TN-500 tuner and add
AIS capability.
CON TRAC TORS: . . . . . . . . . Exelis Corp., Lockheed Martin Mission Systems &
Training
ALQ-210 ESM
BRIEFING: The ALQ-210 ESM system installed on the MH-60R
helicopter is designed to detect, classify and locate radar emitters on land, surface vessels, submarines and aircraft.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . Lockheed Martin Corp.
ASQ-239 EW SYSTEM
BRIEFING: The ASQ-239 is designed to provide the F- 35
aircraft with warning and electronic support measures to
increase situational awareness and survivability versus
radar-guided weapons. The ASQ-239 is likely to feature some
electronic jamming capability through the AESA radar.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . BAE Systems
ALQ-240(V) 1 ESM SYSTEM
BRIEFING: The ALQ-240 (V) 1 is the ESM system installed
on the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. It features
adaptive tuning, precise direction finding and geo-location
capabilities. IOC was achieved in 2013.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems