BAE Systems was awarded a contract by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia to support and sustain the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) for the US Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide continuous field service support for the aircraft’s electronic warfare (EW) system, complete repairs to maintain system availability, and provide software updates so it can detect and engage new threats.
“The Advanced Defensive System for the U-2 is part of BAE Systems’ long legacy in electronic warfare,” U-2 product area director at BAE Systems, Tim Angulas, stated. “Evolving, modernizing, and sustaining EW systems is in our DNA. Our efforts ensure they can operate effectively throughout their lifecycles.”
The AN/ALQ-221 system has provided integrated radar warning and electronic countermeasures that equip U-2 pilots with situational awareness and self-protection capabilities.
The system has included long-range sensors and onboard processing, enabling the U-2 to operate in contested airspace and provide vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information to decision-makers.
BAE Systems has continuously matured and advanced the ADS during the system’s 60-year lifespan, and it is an integral part of the U-2’s modernisation program.
The AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System is sustained by BAE Systems at its facility in Nashua, New Hampshire and by dedicated field service representatives.