Northrop Grumman To Provide ESM Systems For B-2 Bombers

Northrop Grumman has awarded BAE Systems to provide Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems for use on all 20 B-2 Spirit bombers. BAE Systems will now be providing Electronic Warfare systems on all three of the U.S. Air Force’s Low Observable platforms; the F-22, F- 35 and B-2 aircraft. “As a result of an extremely rigorous competition for a modernized ESM system for the B- 2, Northrop Grumman is pleased with the selection of BAE Systems as our primary partner to deliver a rapid, affordable defensive capability to the warfighter,” said Dave Mazur, Aerospace Systems vice president, Long Range Strike. “Modernizing the B-2 defensive system is critical to continued long-range strike supremacy and that will be accomplished through leveraging BAE Systems’ extensive portfolio of ESM technology.” BAE Systems was selected after a competitive bid process over the incumbent and industry’s top Electronic Warfare providers, to replace the aircraft’s 30-year-old legacy AN/ APR-50 ESM system. The system, in conjunction with the radar warning receiver, detects electronic threats encountered by the B-2 and provides situational awareness of detected threats to its air crew.