Exelis Delivers F/A-18 Electronic Self-Protection Systems to US Navy

Exelis has successfully delivered to the U.S. Navy the first nine full rate production, next-generation electronic self-protection systems for F/A-18 fighter aircraft.

The ALQ-214(V)4/5 is the latest variant of the onboard jammer subsystem in the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) suite.

Through a series of enhancements, including miniaturization and improved electronics packaging, the ALQ-214(V)4/5 can be installed on F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as well as – for the first time – on F/A-18C/D Hornets. This will help ensure that both types of aircraft and their crews are protected from modern, dynamic radio frequency threats.

“With enhanced software programmability and reduced size and weight, our latest system ensures that naval aviators stay ahead of emerging electronic threats,” said Joe Rambala, vice president and general manager of the Exelis integrated electronic warfare systems business area. “Exelis has helped advance the Navy’s electronic warfare mission for more than 16 years, and this milestone extends our record to 198 months of on-time delivery to the IDECM program.”

The ALQ-214(V)4/5 follows the ALQ-214(V)3, the final production delivery of which was made to the Navy in mid-2013. The ALQ-214 is produced at the Exelis Electronic Systems (ES) facility in Clifton, New Jersey. ES is the lead division for the company’s electronic warfare (EW) strategic growth platform, providing advanced, integrated EW solutions to protect and enable domestic and international customers to perform their critical missions.