BAE SYSTEMS SECURES LASER WARNING SENSOR UPGRADE PROGRAMME

BAE SYSTEMS was recently awarded a $6 million contract from ATK Integrated Defense Company, Clearwater, Florida, for the first full-rate production order for the AN/AAR-47(V) Missile Warning Sensor.

The AN/AAR-47(V)2 is a common-housing, fully integrated missile and laser warning system and will be installed on more than 3,000 U.S. Navy and Air Force helicopters and transport aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in March 2004.

BAE SYSTEMS Integrated Defense Solutions (IDS), Austin, Texas, provides the laser warning receiver to ATK -- where the electronics are installed into the missile warning receiver. Laser warning technology alerts aircrews when laser-aided or laser-guided threats are present, allowing them to take appropriate counter actions.

"BAE SYSTEMS is extremely pleased to be teamed with ATK and the U.S. Navy to help lead the way for next generation of missile and laser warning sensors,� said Evan Corwin, IDS laser warning program manager. "The AAR-47(V)2 solution provides our military services a highly affordable and reliable tool to help protect them from missile and laser threats.�

"The sophisticated sensors ATK will deploy on Navy and Air Force aircraft as part of the AN/AAR-47 system will be an air crew's best friend,� said Tom Wilson, president of ATK Missile Systems. "ATK sensors are ideally suited for identifying the distinctive plume of surface-to-air missiles, either shoulder or crew-launched, and will give them the maximum time possible to initiate evasive maneuvers or defensive actions.�

For more than 15 years, BAE SYSTEMS has engaged in advanced development programs for tactical laser warning receiver applications, including licensing the technology for use in commercial systems.