ITT Exelis to provide Oman F-16s with electronic warfare systems

CLIFTON, N.J., 25 July 2012. ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS), a global aerospace, defense and information company, has received a $23.6 million foreign military sales contract to provide the Oman Air Force with electronic warfare defensive systems. Under this contract, which was awarded by Robins Air Force Base, Ga., the Oman Air Force will obtain 12 airborne integrated defensive electronic warfare suites, as well as spares and support equipment. The Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System, or AIDEWS, is an integrated digital radar warning receiver and advanced jamming countermeasures system. It provides pilots with situational awareness and protection against radar-based threats, including modern surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon systems.

AIDEWS is built upon the ALQ-211 family of electronic warfare systems now in use to support a range of U.S. and allied defense customers on many aircraft. AIDEWS is currently in full production with more than 160 systems under contract for six nations as part of the F-16 FMS program. The AIDEWS is a pod-based system that features a digital radar warning receiver and a digital RF memory-based jammer.

The F-16 is a multirole jet fighter that was designed for air superiority. More than 4,500 F-16s have been built since production began in 1976. The U.S. Air Force no longer purchases F-16s, but improved versions are still built for foreign military sales.