RACAL RADAR Defence Systems has dropped plans to bid with Litton for the electronic-warfare (EW) package on the UK's attack-helicopter programme, instead unveiling its own integrated defensive-aids system (IDAS), built round its new Griffin G500 radar-warning receiver (RWR).
Racal is offering the IDAS, in collaboration with Westland, as an option for the Westland/McDonnell Douglas AH-64D Apache bid for the UK's requirement.
The IDAS package includes the Griffin G500 RWR in combination with an AVR-2A laser warner, the Vinten Vicon 78 Series 455 dispenser, the Northrop Grumman Nemesis steerable infra-red jammer and, as options, the ALQ-162 and ALQ-136 radar jammers.
Work on the 2-18GHz Griffon RWR began as a private venture during 1993 and the current IDAS package for the Apache supersedes a previous agreement between Racal and Litton concerning an EW package for any potential UK procurement of the AH-64. Racal describes this agreement as "lapsed".
It is understood that Racal will provide support for any purchase of the APR-39A, ALQ-162, AVR-2 and ALQ-136 systems connected with the attack-helicopter programme.
Source: Flight International