The system is said to provide aircrews with advanced threat detection capabilities, improving survivability and mission effectiveness in contested environments
18/07/2021
|Photo from the BAE Systems website
BAE Systems announced this week that it has received a $62 million contract from the U.S. Army to deliver the next-generation 2-Color Advanced Warning System (2CAWS). The system provides aircrews with advanced threat detection capabilities, improving survivability and mission effectiveness in contested environments. This latest award is part of the Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) and encompasses the third of four production lots, according to the company.
Optimized for size, weight, and power, 2CAWS features an open system architecture, two-color infrared sensors for increased range, and a fiber optic A-kit for faster data transmission. The system processor serves as the high-bandwidth digital backbone of the system. It houses advanced machine learning missile warning algorithms specifically designed for complex, high-clutter environments and rapid threat updates. The 2CAWS is compatible with existing U.S. Army aircraft survivability equipment, including pilot interfaces and countermeasure systems, allowing for faster installation and integration timelines, BAE said.
The 2CAWS builds on BAE Systems’ experience delivering combat-proven aircraft survivability equipment to the U.S. and its allies. The company’s Common Missile Warning System, a member of its aircraft survivability portfolio, is currently fielded on thousands of U.S. Army platforms and has saved dozens of aircraft and their crews since it was first fielded in 2005, according to BAE.