BAE Systems has completed the production and delivery of the 250th electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft programme.
Equipped with offensive and defensive options for both the pilot and aircraft, the EW suite will help in countering current and emerging threats during future missions, according to the company.
It is said to provide a fully integrated radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats.
BAE Systems Electronic Systems sector president Tom Arseneault said: “The F-35 is a critical platform for our nation’s defence, and this delivery is a significant milestone for the entire programme.
“Providing this extraordinary technology builds on our more than 60-year electronic warfare legacy.
"And more importantly, it provides our warfighters with the critical edge they need to successfully complete their mission and return home safely.”
Designed to help allied forces identify, monitor, analyse, and respond to potential threats, the EW suite will provide F-35 pilots with maximum situational awareness.
BAE Systems is the sole provider of EW for the F-35 and it is producing one suite for every aircraft to be manufactured.
The supersonic, multi-role fighter aircraft has been designed to perform air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The Lockheed Martin-built aircraft's advanced EW capabilities will allow F-35 pilots to locate and track enemy forces, jam radars and disrupt attacks.
Its advanced avionics give the pilot real-time access to battle space information with 360-degree coverage, Lockheed Martin said in a statement.
Image: F-35 Lightning II equipped with the electronic warfare suite. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.
