US Army receives 400 advanced missile warning systems for helicopters

News, US October 23, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

The U.S. Army has received 400 2-Color Advanced Warning Systems (2CAWS) from BAE Systems. The next-generation missile warning systems would improve aircraft survivability for the U.S. Army’s heavy lift, utility, and attack helicopters.

The BAE Systems completed the delivery of advanced warning systems as part of the Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) program. BAE Systems received the $179 million contract for next-generation Missile Warning Systems from the U.S. Army in 2020. Under the LIMWS Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) contract, the defense firm designed and developed 2CAWS to protect attack, transport, and heavy-lift helicopters.

This advanced system enhances aircrew survivability by providing next-generation threat detection and warning capabilities. Leveraging modern multi-spectral sensors, a high-speed digital infrastructure, and machine learning algorithms, 2CAWS can rapidly and accurately detect threats in challenging environments.

The 2-Color Advanced Warning Systems integrates with laser-based countermeasures and expendable decoys, ensuring a swift and effective response to potential threats. Aircraft equipped with the 2CAWS system have logged thousands of flight hours in operational settings.

Vice president and general manager of Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions at BAE Systems, Dave Harrold said, “Protecting U.S. Army helicopters is core to our mission,” adding that “We’ve worked closely with Army Aviation to provide cutting-edge capabilities that protect crews from evolving threats, provide adversarial overmatch, and enable warfighters to execute missions in contested battlespace.”

2-Color Advanced Warning System

The 2-Color Advanced Warning System is based on two-color infrared sensor technology and offers missile warning and hostile fire detection to enhance survivability and mission effectiveness in contested environments.

The 2CAWS is fully compatible with the U.S. Army’s existing aircraft survivability equipment, including pilot interfaces and countermeasure systems, enabling faster installation and integration with current platforms.

*^{2-Color Advanced Warning System (2CAWS) provides next-generation protection for U.S. Army aircraft. (Image Credit: BAE Systems)}*

The 2-color IR sensors can quickly and accurately detect targets and can be fully integrated with existing countermeasure systems. The system has a low false alarm rate and is designed for harsh rotary- and fixed-wing environments.

The BAE Systems statement highlighted that “Leveraging the A-Kit wiring and mounts of the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) enables a fast upgrade on aircraft” that are currently equipped with the system. “The 2CAWS supports air combat missions and integrates into fixed- and rotary-wing platforms with ease,” the statement added.

The system builds on the well-established missile warning capabilities of BAE Systems’ CMWS, which has been deployed on thousands of aircraft across the U.S. Army and international armed forces. With millions of flight hours, CMWS has consistently proven its reliability and effectiveness in combat and operational environments.