Sanders/ITT team selected for IDECM contract.

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1995--The Department of Defense has selected the team of Sanders and ITT Avionics to produce the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) radio frequency subsystem.

The system will provide increased survivability for U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F aircraft against advanced missile threats. The joint Navy-Air Force contract also includes self-protection for the F-15 and B-1B aircraft.

Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, will serve as prime contractor for the IDECM program, with ITT Avionics, a division of ITT Defense and Electronics Inc. as teammate and major subcontractor. Sanders was awarded the five-year Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) contract for $26.8 million. With contract options, the total development program could exceed $110 million. The IDECM production program could total more than $1 billion in future business.

The IDECM system will provide an onboard technique generator connected to a towed decoy that will transmit jamming signals to divert RF missiles. The initial E&MD contract provides for integration and delivery of 15 technique generators, 50 fiber optic towed decoys and 50 decoy mass models to be used for development flight testing.

An option for design, development and test of a common high powered Towed Decoy System was executed by the Air Force under the IDECM contract. The Air Force scope also includes a B-1B architecture study to determine how IDECM will support the B-1B DSUP (Defensive System Upgrade Program).

IDECM integrates the RF countermeasures suite with a common missile warning system (CMWS) and advanced strategic/tactical expendable (ASTE) flares to defeat infrared (IR) guided missiles. The CMWS will be provided from the Tri-Service ATIRCM/CMWS program.

Dr. John Kreick, president of Sanders, said, "The system being provided by the Sanders/ITT team represents exceptional defensive capabilities against the latest threats and provides the Navy and Air Force a system with an unprecedented degree of commonality."

The work will be performed by Sanders' Countermeasures Division (CMD) which recently won the competitive ATIRCM/CMWS (Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System) program. According to Peter Pappas, CMD's vice president & general manager, "Winning these two highly contested programs solidifies Sanders' position as a broad based electronic warfare company for the future."

Sanders' IDECM Program Manager Jay Herther said, "IDECM sets the Worldwide standard for RFCM for the next 20 years. Because our system is compatible with Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ) and ALE-50 dispenser Group A provisions, IDECM will provide survivability for many Navy and Air Force platforms.

"Our team provides a low-risk program," he said, "by offering a highly NDI (non-development item) solution, with a low-cost, multi-platform decoy and an early, heavy emphasis on integration. Earlier this year, the Sanders fiber optic towed decoy was integrated with several technique generators and successfully flight tested, validating supersonic deployment of fiber optics."

Sanders is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of advanced electronic systems and products in a broad range of defense electronics markets. The company is a major producer of electronic and infrared countermeasures systems for aircraft self-protection, and is the industry leader in the development of automated mission planning systems. Other major business areas include signals intelligence and communications jamming systems, automated test systems, weapons displays, controls and displays subsystems, antisubmarine warfare and training and simulation.

ITT Avionics is also a major supplier of airborne ECM equipment, including proven systems for Air Force B-52 and Special Operations C-130 aircraft, and Army Apache and Cobra helicopters. ITT Avionics produces the exportable AN/ALQ-165 ASPJ for fighter aircraft.

CONTACT: Sanders

Marv Braman, 603/885-2817

or

Joe Wagovich, 603/885-2816