Saturday, October 18, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Raytheon has completed a major review of a new Advanced Electronic Warfare prototype for the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, that comes as the Navy prepares to test prototype systems in fiscal year 2026.
The prototype, or ADVEW, will replace electronic warfare systems currently in place on Super Hornets across the fleet, increasing the aircraft’s overall defensive capabilities and survivability, according to a company news release today.
In 2023, the Navy awarded Raytheon $80 million to create an ADVEW prototype to replace the existing AN/ALQ-214 integrated defensive electronic countermeasure and the AN/ALR-67(V) 3 radar warning receiver, according to another company announcement.
Raytheon is currently in competition with L3Harris Technologies for the final contract. In November 2024, L3Harris announced it had completed critical hardware checks and capability demonstrations for its own version of the technology.
According to FY-26 budget justification documents, the cost of ADVEW’s Middle Tier of Acquisition effort totals $179 million -- including research, development, test and evaluation of prototype units.
"Our ADVEW prototype continues to showcase significant progress in both hardware and software that will improve the aircraft's ability to detect and counter electronic threats," Daniel Theisen, president of advanced products and solutions at Raytheon, said in the announcement. "We are on track with our fast-paced schedule and will continue developing the system to meet all necessary requirements on the U.S. Navy's accelerated fielding timeline."
Raytheon also recently completed a test plan working group that ensures ADVEW’s in-flight performance is coordinated and streamlined, the release added.
The Super Hornet fleet is in the process of aging and is set to stop production by 2027. The Navy’s next-gen fighter -- F/A-XX -- is the planned successor to the Super Hornet, though questions currently surround the Navy’s commitment to the program.