ITT tie up with two Australia-based enterprises for EW systems bidding

ITT Corporation announced today that it is partnering with two Australia-based enterprises to pursue electronic warfare systems awards on Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyer program. These ships will perform area air defense, capable of engaging enemy aircraft at more than 150 kilometers. ITT’s proposed electronic warfare system will provide electronic support measures – to identify aircraft and missiles friend and foe – and will support electronic countermeasures and attack. ITT’s Electronic Systems division, together with Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems, Sydney, and Avalon Systems, Adelaide, will bring unique, Australian industrial content to the systems. This teaming agreement will ensure continuous improvement by the two locally-based team members. ITT’s proposed design is based on equipment currently in service on Norwegian Nansen F-100 Class Destroyers and identical to the proposed Air Warfare Destroyer. The contract will be awarded in fourth quarter, 2009. The design proposed by ITT is an open architecture version of the electronic warfare system currently in service on Collins class submarines, now in operation in Australia. That system, which exceeded customer expectations, now represents the latest in technology. ITT’s proposed systems will enable subsystems from Avalon and Jenkins to be seamlessly integrated. “This partnership underlines our commitment to produce best-value electronic warfare solutions around the world,” said ITT Electronic Systems President Chris Bernhardt. “We’re confident that the combination of ITT’s innovative technology with our Australian partners’ participation and content will result in the best possible solution for Australia’s defense forces.”