Navy F-18s set for counter-measure upgrade

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CLIFTON, N.J., July 12 (UPI) -- The electronic counter-measures system used aboard U.S. Navy F/A-18s is to receive software upgrades from ITT Exelis under a $19.6 million contract.

The upgrades to the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures ALQ-214 Common On-board Jammer will begin in 2015.

"Since the F/A-18 remains the Navy's front-line strike fighter, its effective protection against any threat is critical," said Rich Sorelle, acting president of Exelis Electronic Systems division. "The Exelis team will continue innovating to ensure our fighting forces always have the advantage in conflict."

The upgrades are to enable faster recognition of threats and response times. It will also introduce new digital RF memory-based jamming techniques.

The contract was awarded to ITT Exelis by the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md.

The U.S. Navy flies more than 230 F/A-18s in a number of models.

"Our systems were designed for a long life in a changing environment," Sorelle said. "These software upgrades provide a cost-effective means to ensure our customer has the most advanced counter-measures system in the world."