BAE to deliver C-130J EW suite

BAE Systems has been awarded an initial $20 million contract to develop an electronic warfare suite for U.S. Special Operations Command's C-130Js.

The contract funds the first of a multiphased effort to boost the platform's survivability -- an effort that could be worth as much as $400 million, according to a Jan. 4 press release from BAE. The suite is designed to be integrated on the MC-130J and AC-130J variants, which support SOCOM.

"The advanced system will significantly enhance the electronic threat protection capability of the C-130J, increasing the aircraft's ability to detect and defeat both surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments," the release states.