BAE Systems has secured a $73.8 million US defense contract to supply over 1,200 radio frequency countermeasure units aimed at strengthening electronic warfare protection for US and allied fighter jets. Issued as a modification to a previously awarded contract, the deal underscores growing demand for advanced RF defense systems amid increasingly contested electromagnetic environments.
The contract covers production and support activities at multiple US locations, including facilities in New Hampshire, Maryland, and California. Delivery of the countermeasures is expected to be completed by February 2029. Program funding is being drawn from US Navy and US Air Force procurement accounts for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, alongside contributions from foreign military sales partners.
Designed to improve aircraft survivability, the RF countermeasures will provide enhanced protection against radar-guided missiles and electronic threats by detecting, classifying, and countering hostile emissions. These capabilities are intended to ensure allied fighter aircraft can operate effectively in complex, high-threat air combat scenarios.
The award adds to a series of electronic warfare contracts awarded to major US defense firms in recent years. BAE Systems has played a key role in upgrading the F-35’s AN/ASQ-239 EW suite and supplying electronic warfare pods for P-8A Poseidon aircraft, while Raytheon continues to advance its Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system for EA-18G Growler jets. Together, these programs highlight sustained US and allied investment in modern electronic warfare and RF countermeasure technologies.
