BAE Systems, a global player in defence technology, secures contracts from the US Army to supply common missile warning systems (CMWS) to aid survivability of allied aircraft in contested environments.
BAE Systems has clinched contracts totalling $114m from the US Army for the provision of CMWS. This marks a step in enhancing the protection of allied aircraft against evolving infrared threats.
The CMWS integrates missile warning technology, hostile fire indication, and countermeasure controls. Jennifer Bartley, deputy product line director of Integrated Survivability Solutions at BAE Systems, emphasised the role of CMWS in safeguarding airborne armed forces, stating, “When stealth is not an option, CMWS provides a shield that enables aircraft survivability and mission execution.”
The procurement of advanced air defence systems to counter the growing threat of advanced fifth-generation combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is anticipated to be a major factor driving the missile defence systems segment’s growth over this decade, according to GlobalData’s “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2023-2033” report.
With the escalating challenges on contested battlefields, the demand for threat detection and countermeasure capabilities has surged.
The latest Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts pave the way for additional US allies to procure CMWS, thereby fortifying their existing fleets and newly acquired aircraft, including models like the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. By integrating CMWS into their defence arsenals, allied nations can enhance their resilience against infrared threats.
Furthermore, CMWS’s compatibility with a range of countermeasure dispensers, including BAE Systems’ AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System and Smart D² next-generation countermeasure system, as well as laser-based infrared countermeasure systems, shows its versatility in operational scenarios.
BAE Systems’ CMWS is integral to the company’s Intrepid Shield layered approach to aircraft and ground platform survivability. By leveraging the full electromagnetic spectrum, the Intrepid Shield framework enables threat detection, exploitation, and countermeasure capabilities, ensuring protection for allied forces in contested environments.
CMWS will be manufactured at BAE Systems’ facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire; Austin, Texas; and Huntsville, Alabama.
In 2020, BAE Systems secured $179m contracts from the US Army for advanced Missile Warning Systems (MWS), aiding aircraft survivability and mission effectiveness in contested environments.
