BAE SYSTEMS to Build Countermeasure Dispensing System for USAF's F-15 Fighter Aircraft.

Business Editors

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001

The U.S. Air Force has awarded BAE SYSTEMS Integrated Defense Solutions (IDS) a contract to manufacture the BOL 515 countermeasure dispenser system, and to modify the LAU-128 Missile Launchers that house the dispensers.

This $18 million production effort is initially for Air National Guard F-15 aircraft, but may incorporate options to outfit the rest of the Air Force's F-15 fleet with the BOL 515 dispenser system, bringing the potential total contract value to $90 million. The BOL 515 was developed jointly by BAE SYSTEMS, SAAB Avionics, and Chemring, PLC.

Modern missile threats use radar and heat seeking technology to home in on a target aircraft. Expendable countermeasures (chaff and flares) are used to confuse the threat so that it misses its target. The BOL has the ability to employ an advanced pre-emptive expendable countermeasure developed by Chemring's Alloy Surfaces.

Using a countermeasure dispenser such as the BOL 515 to complement the existing AN/ALE-45 dispenser adds countermeasures capability without impacting stores carriage or aircraft performance.

An earlier version of the BOL integrated Missile Launcher/Countermeasures Dispenser is currently in operation on U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft. The BOL 515 has been approved for production on all variants of the U.S. Air Force F-15 aircraft. The BAE SYSTEMS/SAAB team is also developing configurations that can be integrated on other aircraft such as the F-16.

"It's a win-win for the Air Force. The BOL 515's pre-emptive electronic warfare countermeasures increases survivability while improving mission effectiveness," said Dan Gilbert, BAE SYSTEMS program director for the BOL 515.

IDS President Bob Swanson added, "This program combines the world-class capabilities of BAE SYSTEMS and our long-time partners, SAAB Avionics and Chemring, to help the warfighter do his job and return home safely. The team is proud to support the United States Air Force's important mission."

The BOL 515 contracting activity is managed by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. BOL 515 manufacturing will be performed in Sweden and Austin, Texas.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE SYSTEMS Integrated Defense Solutions, headquartered in Austin, Texas, employs more than 1,200 people at three major facilities.

Integrated Defense Solutions designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of tactical products and services including mine countermeasures, chemical detection, camouflage, expendable countermeasures and dispenser systems, combat systems, and systems integration for air, space, land, and seagoing platforms and systems.

BAE SYSTEMS employs some 100,000 people and has annual sales of around $18 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills.

BAE SYSTEMS designs and manufactures civil and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defense products.