BAE Systems has successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) of the integrated aircraft-survivability equipment’s (IASE) software update of its common-missile warning system (CMWS).
Representing a significant milestone in the advancement of infrared threat detection for rotary-wing, transport and tactical aircraft, the CDR displayed the system’s ease of integration with other survivability technology, including the ability to accept data from both radar and laser-warning receivers.
BAE Systems threat management solutions director Bill Staib said that the CMWS has nearly a decade of proven success, logging more than two million in-theatre combat hours and saving countless aircraft and lives.
"The newest version builds on the success of the existing technology and delivers enhanced integration and survivability capabilities to our armed forces," Staib said.
The IASE capability is expected to help the US Army reduce pilot workload and enhance survivability by consolidating critical mission data into a single pilot-vehicle interface.
In addition, the system’s open architecture also facilitates the integration of threat data into multiple platforms without any requirement for costly upgrades or additional equipment.
BAE has also developed a next-generation enhanced ultra-violet (EUV) threat warning sensor for CMWS, which improves the system’s core detection capability.
Displayed during a series of US military sponsored events in 2013, the sensor enables CMWS to detect threats at longer ranges in harsher conditions, distinguish from clutter and quickly and accurately locate threats for heightened countermeasure effectiveness.
Both IASE and EUV updates follow the recent CMWS gen3 release that included the initial fielding of the system’s hostile fire indication by the US Army to detect and evade small-arms fire and new data recording.
The recording capabilities provide users with immediate, detailed post-mission analysis.
Image: The CMWS helps in the detection of IR threats for rotary-wing, transport and tactical aircraft. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.
