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08 Dec 16. Northrop to upgrade RNLAF’s F-16 AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure pods. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has contracted Northrop Grumman to upgrade the AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods for its F-16 aircraft fleet. The contract requires the company to improve threat detection and jamming capabilities of the aircraft, thereby allowing pilots to operate safely in the modern threat environment. The company said that its digital receiver/exciter adds fifth-generation aircraft electronic warfare technology to the AN/ALQ-131. Northrop Grumman programmes vice-president Dr. Robert Fleming said: “The digital technology in the AN/ALQ-131 upgrade provides a significant leap in capability for electronic countermeasures, giving RNLAF aviators a superior level of protection wherever their missions take them.” To date, Northrop has fielded more than 1,600 ALQ-131 pods to protect aircrews and aircraft in every conflict. Said to be one of the most successful ECM systems ever built, the AN/ALQ-131 pod is currently operational in the US and 11 other countries. Built by Lockheed Martin, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface missiles. In addition to AN/ALQ-131, the multirole fighter jet is compatible with other jammers and electronic countermeasures equipment, including Raytheon AN/ALQ-184, Elisra SPS 3000 and Elta EL/L-8240, and the Northrop Grumman ALQ-165 self-protection suite. Northrop provides electronic warfare systems for a variety of aircraft and aircrews, including A-10, B-1, B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and F-35. The company also provides systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernisation to customers across the world. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
07 Dec 16. Northrop contracts Saab for components of USMC’s AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR system. Northrop Grumman Corporation has subcontracted Saab Defense and Security USA to deliver additional components and subsystems of the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) AN/TPS-80 ground / air task-oriented radar (G/ATOR) system. Valued at Skr166m ($18.6m), the contract covers the delivery of major subsystems and assemblies, as well as software, for the next nine low-rate initial production (LRIP) units. The assemblies will be integrated by Northrop Grumman into the Lots 3-5 G/ATOR systems. The contract also includes priced options for additional sets of assemblies, as well as associated spares. Saab Defense and Security USA president and CEO Erik Smith said: “With this contract, Saab continues to play a significant role in providing this capability to the US Marine Corps.
“Saab’s proven ability to provide innovative radar technology and highly capable solutions, on our own as well as in partnership with US primes, remains a strong foundation of our company and further supports our leading position as a supplier of radar and sensor systems in the global market.”
Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor to the USMC for the AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR programme. Under a previous contract awarded last year, Saab has already delivered the first six systems for LRIP Lots 1 and 2. Deliveries of the G/ATOR systems to the USMC will begin in 2018. G/ATOR is a ground-based multi-mission active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which is designed to perform air surveillance, air defence, ground weapon locating and air traffic control missions for the USMC. (Source: naval-technology.com)
05 Dec 16. US Army thermal sights for .50-cal connect to helmet display. The U.S. Army will soon begin to produce new high-tech, crew-served thermal weapons sights able to automatically adjust range, see through adverse weather, detect targets with a lightweight laser range finder and use a wireless targeting link between weapons and a soldier-worn helmet