U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $80M to Prototype Advanced Electronic Warfare for Super Hornet

The United States Navy has awarded Raytheon, an RTX Business, an $80 million contract to prototype Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

The award follows a down select process and positions ADVEW as a potential replacement for the existing AN/ALQ-214 integrated defensive electronic countermeasure and AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver. The objective is to introduce a consolidated electronic warfare solution that enhances the capabilities of the Navy's carrier air wing.

Bryan Rosselli, President of Advanced Products & Solutions at Raytheon, highlighted the significance of these advancements, stating, "We are completely replacing and consolidating the legacy systems into a one-box solution that will deliver a generational refresh to the electronic warfare capability for the lifetime of the Super Hornet."

Raytheon's ADVEW offering is designed to provide substantial performance upgrades by modernizing existing electronic warfare systems into fewer components and incorporating government-defined open architecture. The development of this solution will closely align and integrate with other combat-proven, radio frequency sensors, and effectors currently utilized by the Super Hornet.

The introduction of ADVEW aims to ensure that F/A-18E/F Super Hornets maintain their operational electronic warfare advantage while significantly improving survivability against advanced and complex threats. The prototype development and testing will primarily occur in Goleta, California. Over the 36-month prototype phase, the system is slated to undergo preliminary design review, critical design review, and flight testing.

Raytheon's contract with the U.S. Navy underscores the commitment to advancing electronic warfare capabilities and marks a crucial step toward the next generation of electronic warfare systems. The successful development and integration of ADVEW could represent a significant leap forward in enhancing the effectiveness and survivability of the Super Hornet in challenging operational environments.