Harris has received a contract to sustain the US Air Force's (USAF) electronic warfare technology for large aircraft.
Under the $55m contract, the company will perform sustainment work on the electronic warfare system used by the USAF to protect B-52s and C-130s from radar-guided threats.
The four-year contract also requires the company to redesign one of the ALQ-172’s line replaceable units (LRU-1) in order to increase the electronic warfare suite’s reliability, supportability and availability.
The ALQ-172 self-protection integrated RF subsystem has successfully defended B-52 bombers and Special Operation C-130 Combat Talons and Gunships against RF threats in combat missions during the last ten years, Harris said in a statement.
It has the ability to simultaneously counter multiple pulse, continuous wave, pulse Doppler and monopulse threats.
The ALQ-172 is integrated with the aircraft controls, displays and defensive subsystem to protect aircrew from radar-directed threats.
Harris Electronic Systems president Ed Zoiss said: “Hostile air defence systems are becoming more sophisticated and accessible in global conflict zones.
“With the B-52 set to remain a key component of US strategic airpower for the next two decades, it is essential that it be equipped with innovative electronic warfare technology capable of defeating future threats.”
Harris will also develop software, support customer testing and other solutions for the USAF.
In 2015, Harris received a series of orders to perform similar redesigns of other ALQ-172 subsystems, including LRU-4, LRU-7 and LRU-8.
