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US Army Receives Delivery of 400 Advanced Missile Warning Systems for Helicopters from BAE Systems.
BAE Systems has delivered 400 2-Color Advanced Warning Systems (2CAWS) to the U.S. Army as part of the Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) program. These aircraft protection systems are designed to safeguard key helicopter platforms such as Black Hawk, Apache, and Chinook, enhancing their ability to detect and counter sophisticated missile threats in hostile environments.
These aircraft protection systems are designed to safeguard key helicopter platforms such as Black Hawk, Apache, and Chinook. (Picture source: BAE Systems)
The LIMWS program, under a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) contract, enabled BAE Systems to develop and deliver the 2CAWS rapidly, now operational on the U.S. Army’s utility, heavy-lift, and attack helicopters. This advanced system integrates modern multi-spectral sensors, a high-speed digital architecture, and machine learning algorithms to detect threats and deploy appropriate countermeasures in real-time accurately. The 2CAWS improves aircrew survivability by providing fast and precise warnings of missile threats in complex and high-risk environments.
Dave Harrold, Vice President and General Manager of Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions at BAE Systems, highlighted the significance of this delivery: "Protecting U.S. Army helicopters is a core part of our mission. We have worked closely with Army Aviation to develop these cutting-edge capabilities, ensuring that crews are equipped to handle evolving threats and maintain superiority in contested airspaces."
The 2CAWS system builds on the success of BAE Systems’ Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), widely deployed and used on thousands of U.S. Army and international aircraft. CMWS has proven its reliability across millions of operational flight hours, and the 2CAWS further enhances this capability with next-generation technology. The advanced detection and countermeasure system has already logged thousands of flight hours in operational environments, confirming its effectiveness in the field.
BAE Systems continues to lead the field in next-generation warning and countermeasure systems, developing innovative solutions to protect military aircraft from emerging threats. The company’s expertise in quick-reaction programs and its experience in meeting the specific size, weight, and power requirements of rotary-wing aircraft make it a key player in the defense sector.
The development and production of the 2CAWS system were carried out at BAE Systems’ facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, ensuring that the U.S. Army’s fleet of helicopters is equipped with the latest technologies to maximize pilot and aircrew survivability in increasingly contested airspaces.
With the delivery of this advanced capability, the U.S. Army now has critical tools to maintain its operational effectiveness against modern missile threats, which continue to evolve.