Lockheed Sets Target Schedule to Deliver New EW Pods to Navy

Lockheed Martin plans to deliver the first set of new electronic warfare pods developed for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters by end of 2019 or in early 2020, Rotor and Wing International reported Thursday.

The Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare AN/ALQ-248 pod will provide the aircraft with new capabilities to deter adversaries and change how the Navy operates in the “electronic horizon,” said Joseph Ottaviano, director of Lockheed Martin Electronic Warfare Systems.

The company received a $42M contract from the Navy in 2016 to manufacture the AN/ALQ-248s. 

The technology can detect and track missiles independently or with the SEWIP Block 2 AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic surveillance sensor aboard ships.

Lockheed completed critical design review of the pod in 2018.