BAE contracted for more electronic warfare systems for next F-35 production lot
BAE has been contracted by Lockheed Martin to deliver EW systems for F-35 aircraft built under Lot 17. (Photo: USN)
BAE Systems has received a $491 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare (EW) systems for Block 4 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets built under Lot 17.
The systems for future Lot 17 aircraft add to the 1,200 F-35 EW systems it has delivered to date. No quantity was cited but Lot 17 may contain as many as 126 aircraft if options are exercised.
‘The Block 4 EW system will offer greater situational awareness, enhanced survivability and increased capabilities to counter modern threats, and is upgradable to address evolving threats,’ said Lisa Aucoin, VP of F-35 solutions at BAE Systems.
The Block 4 systems will include significantly upgraded hardware and software that improves sensing and signal-processing capabilities, while new sensors will boost the system’s ability to detect difficult-to-observe threats as well as more threats simultaneously, the company said.
Related Articles
BAE Systems and Leonardo partner on aircraft survivability suite
Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency
Northrop Grumman to commence work on MESA sensors for US Air Force E-7 AEW fleet
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist]()
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space & Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
