Missile counter-measure systems ordered by Dutch military

Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security is supplying the Dutch military with missile launch detection systems to protect F-16 fighters and NH-90 helicopters.

The MILDS F to be delivered operates in the solar-blind UV spectrum and is not subject to the limitations of other warning technologies. It features high resolution sensors combined with rapid processing for rapid threat identification, plus the ability to detect small arms fire.

The system is outfitted on F-16 fighters of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.

The second contract is for a new standard configuration of MILDS F that can be integrated into multiple platforms, such as helicopters, transports and non-F-16 fighters.

Both orders include a provision for logistics services.

"Our enhanced MILDS F opens up the superior performance of the fighter missile warner to different flying platforms," said says Thomas Muller, head of Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security. "We are using an operational software which includes different code books and configurations to support the various platforms operated by a certain customer. In doing so, we offer customers substantial commonalities without any loss of performance."

Raytheon refurbishing electronic warfare missile payload
Albuquerque (UPI) Mar 24, 2016 -Raytheon has received a U.S Air Force contract to update an electronic warfare payload for cruise missiles.

The system is a non-kinetic package known as CHAMP -- Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile -- which will disrupt enemy electronic systems and will be carried by Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, or CALCMs.

CHAMP, by Boeing, was first demonstrated in late 2012 by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, but this will be the first continued activity on the system since then.

"Non-kinetic systems give the U.S. the option to defeat enemy infrastructure with little collateral damage," said Dr. Thomas Bussing, vice president of Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems.

"The pairing of CHAMP and CALCM, a proven weapon, lowers risk and brings tomorrow's capabilities forward to today."

Under the $4.8 million award, Raytheon will refurbish the CHAMP payload and a pair of CALCMs and then deliver them to the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Raytheon's industry team for the project includes Boeing and Sandia National Laboratories.