10-Year $947 Million Contract to Upgrade EW Capabilities

L3Harris Technologies is to modernise the US Air Force B-52 fleet, to protect aircrew from enemy radar threats, under a new 10-year $947 million (€817 million) contract, the company announced on 5 October.

L3Harris will enhance the aircrafts’ AN/ALQ-172 EW self-protection system, providing a combat-proven integrated RF system that can simultaneously counter multiple electronic spectrum threats that interfere with aircraft operations. L3Harris has an opportunity to expand the scope of work on the programme, from software sustainment to hardware upgrades.

“Competition for the electromagnetic spectrum is fierce and without spectrum dominance, our armed forces lose competitive advantage,” stated Ed Zoiss, President of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems. “It’s critical to continue upgrading our platforms to maintain spectrum superiority.”

L3Harris has provided EW technology to the B-52 for over 50 years, and has leveraged the electromagnetic spectrum for tactical advantage, understanding threats and protecting against them for 60 years. The new contract will extend the B-52’s EW relevance and reliability through the end of its lifespan.