![Raytheon has used Lear 35s since 2001 in the EWTS role. Credit: Defence]](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/adm/images/dmImage/StandardImage/learjet_63229420-85EE-11E6-BABBCA34AFC5ABB6.jpg)
Philip Smart | Adelaide
Defence will go to market in the last quarter of 2016 to find a “new and updated” airborne Electronic Warfare Training System (EWTS), currently provided by Raytheon Australia with two highly modified Lear Jet aircraft from Nowra.
Raytheon has provided EWTS services to the ADF since February 2001, initially with a single leased Lear 35 with a “Smart Crow Plus” EW mission system comprising noise jamming systems, communications jamming and deception, a radar attack threat simulator (RATS) and the ability to deploy chaff.
"Navy is looking for a system that can be upgraded as future needs change."
In June 2005 this was augmented by another Lear 35 mounting the mature “Smarter Crow” system also including computerised mission planning and secure communications.
Both aircraft can simulate missile and air-intercept threats, jam communications and deploy chaff, simulating the tactics Royal Australian Navy defence systems would likely face in a modern battlespace. They are used for operator training, pre-deployment workups, on exercise and to test ship defence systems. The aircraft are usually crewed by two pilot and two EW tactical coordinators, providing what Defence sees as a vital role in ensuring shipboard defences are exercised and assessed.
“The fundamental capability requirement to test and evaluate every platform's individual or task group performance for detection of potential threats/radars remains a significant platform protection role,” said a Defence spokesperson. “EWTS provides that training and test/evaluation requirement.”
“The current contract provides aircraft, equipment, flight-crew and support services necessary to conduct realistic EW training for Major Fleet Unit warfare teams. To date spare capacity has been utilised by the Royal Australian Air Force.”
Defence will release a Request for Information in the last quarter of 2016, with a Request for Tender to follow in the second quarter of 2017. The successful bidder would begin phasing in a new system over 18 months from July 2018, with the full service available from January 2020.
With an increasingly dynamic and complex electromagnetic environment across Australia’s regions of interest, Navy is looking for a system that can be upgraded as future needs change. And it will be about much more than just operating aircraft.
“The EWTS capability must support a continuous improvement and innovation program where upgrades and enhancement are utilised to reflect emerging adversarial threats and future technologies,” according to a Defence spokesperson.
“Defence expects the EWTS capability could be delivered using a combination of delivery platforms, such as airborne, ground-based, with associated elements, equipment and support services; however, any solution option must be capable of successfully integrating into a wider ADF EW simulation and training environment.”
The current public notification for the EWTS request for information is promulgated within AusTender DoD/2016/01 and will be discussed with industry on 19 October 2016.