BAE Systems Celebrates Delivery of 5,000th Laser Warning Sensor; Equipment Protects American Air Crews in Iraq, Afghanistan.

AUSTIN, Texas -- BAE Systems employees today joined customer and government representatives to celebrate the delivery of the 5,000th laser warning sensor as a part of the AN/AAR-47(V)2 Sensor Upgrade Production Program.

Laser warning technology alerts aircrews when laser-aided or laser-guided threats are present, allowing them to take appropriate counteractions. The laser warning sensors, designed and manufactured at BAE Systems' Austin facility, are part of a multimillion-dollar, multi-year production contract the company received from ATK Missile Systems Co. of Clearwater, Fla., in 2003.

BAE Systems is currently maintaining a sustained production rate of more than 240 laser warning sensors per month. The sensors are installed on U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army helicopters and transport aircraft.

BAE Systems provides the laser warning receiver to ATK, which installs the electronics on missile warning receivers. The result is in an integrated laser and missile warning system whose cost is significantly lower than that of stand-alone systems. "Focusing on affordable solutions that are good for the air crew, good for the country, and good for our customers is core to our beliefs at BAE Systems," said Evan Corwin, Laser Warning Systems program manager.

"BAE Systems has now delivered 5,000 laser warning sensors in less than three years," said Kent Jacobson, vice president and general manager of Sensor Integration for BAE Systems. "We're very proud that our laser warning devices are saving lives every day."

Tom Wilson, president of ATK Precision Systems Group, said the sophisticated sensors ATK deploys on Navy and Air Force aircraft as part of the AN/AAR-47 system are an air crew's best friend. "The sensors are ideally suited for identifying the distinctive plume of surface-to-air missiles, either shoulder- or crew-launched," he said. "The sensors give air crews the maximum time possible to initiate evasive maneuvers or defensive actions."

BAE Systems has been engaged in the advanced development and production of tactical laser warning receiver applications for more than 20 years. Its products are used domestically and internationally, and the technology is licensed for use in commercial systems.

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems.