BAE supplying counter-measure systems for new USAF helicopter

NASHUA, N.H., March 10 (UPI) -- Survivability and situational awareness technology are being supplied by BAE Systems for the new U.S. Air Force HH-60W combat rescue helicopter.

The equipment package is comprised of BAE's identification-friend-or-foe AN/DPX-7 reduced size transponder and its Common Missile Warning System.

"When airmen enter into dangerous situations to rescue wounded soldiers, they require the best technology available to safeguard them during these vital missions and provide them with situational awareness," said John Watkins, vice president of Business Development at BAE Systems. "By equipping the combat rescue helicopter with RST and CMWS, the Air Force can be confident that its airmen will be using technology that has been proven in theater on multiple U.S. Army and Navy platforms."

BAE Systems said its friend-or-foe transponder is half the size and weight of similar products. It is currently deployed on several manned and unmanned aircraft.

The CMWS Gen3 system includes both hostile fire indication and data recording capabilities to detect and evade small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

The contract marks the first time that a U.S. Air Force platform will benefit from the RST system and from CMWS, an automated and integrated infrared counter-measures suite.

The new HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter is scheduled for a preliminary design review this year and is the result of a 2014 USAF decision to select Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin to replace HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters with a derivative of the Sikorsky Black Hawk.