Morocco contracts for F-16 countermeasures

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Royal Moroccan Air Force has selected Raytheon to integrate electronic warfare technologies into Morocco's F-16 aircraft fleet.

Moroccan defense officials contracted U.S. company Lockheed Martin for 24 of the company's Block 52 F-16 fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin awarded the Massachusetts-based Raytheon a contract to integrate its newest electronic warfare suite into the F-16s as part of the Moroccan air force deal.

Officials say Raytheon will be expected to integrate its electronic suite of radar warning and digital jammer systems, among other technologies, to counter enemy threats.

The "advanced countermeasures electronic system will provide the Royal Moroccan Air Force with an advanced integrated electronic warfare suite for enhanced situational awareness and survivability," Roy Azevedo, Raytheon Tactical Airborne Systems deputy vice president, said in a statement.

"It paves the way for additional international sales of this advanced technology."