Earlier this week, Aero-News learned that the US Navy has contracted with BAE Systems to produce additional low-band transmitter-antenna groups for the Navy’s EA-6B Prowler electronic countermeasures aircraft. Under the $24.3 million contract with the Naval Air Systems Command, the company will provide 13 transmitter-antenna groups, each consisting of a radar and communications jammer. 

The BAE Systems equipment protects strike aircraft, ships, and ground troops by disrupting enemy radar and communications signals. 

"NAVAIR’s continued partnership with BAE Systems in the procurement of low-band transmitters is based on the dependability of the transmitter/antenna group," said Capt. Kenneth Smolana, the Navy’s Prowler program manager. "BAE Systems provides the Navy the best-value solution while maintaining its commitment to serving the war fighter." 

The contract follows a $4 million producibility program awarded in October 2004, and previous production orders. Including this most recent order, the Navy has called for BAE Systems to produce 30 transmitter-antenna ship sets worth about $55 million. 

The low-band transmitters will be manufactured at BAE Systems’ Lansdale, PA facility. NAVAIR is the contracting agency responsible for procuring the transmitters. 

BAE Systems is a trans-Atlantic defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $28 billion in 2005.

FMI: www.navy.mil, www.baesystems.com