$8.2M for F/A-18 Radar Jammers to USA, Finland, Switzerland
Computer Systems Technical Support, Inc. in Brea, CA received an $8.2 million firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ) harness assembly, structural assembly and hardware sets. In addition to support to the United States (90%), it is anticipated that the contract will support the governments of Switzerland (5%) and Finland (5%) under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The ASPJ is a program with a long and troubled history.
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The ASPJ is an automated, modular, reprogrammable, active radar frequency (RF) deception jammer designed to help protect host tactical aircraft from a variety of air-to-air and surface-to-air radar threats. It was designed to accomplish threat sorting, threat identification, and jamming management, even in areas with many operational radars. It is qualified for installation on F-14D Tomcats (now retired), F-16 Falcons/Vipers, and F/A-18 Hornet A-D models. The US Navy, Switzerland, and Finland all operate F/A-18 C/D aircraft.
The ASPJ’s performance and testing results led to considerable controversy, and finally resulted in the program’s cancellation. Revived after an F-16 was shot down over Bosnia in 1995, it is considered the best internal option available for F/A-18 C/D aircraft. Nevertheless, GlobalSecurity.org notes that it has never fully met its certification requirements. The Journal of Electronic Defense also offers a case study around its development.
Work on this contract will be performed in Brea, CA, and is expected to be complete by September 2010. The contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Internet, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane, IN issued the contract (N00164-05-D-8276).
