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Harris awarded B-52 electronic warfare contract

By Michael Peck

Oct 31, 2016

A B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., performs a turn at 28,000 feet above the Gulf of Mexico Oct. 13, 2016. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Curt Beach)

Harris Corp. has won a $55 million Air Force contract to upgrade electronic warfare systems on B-52s and C-130s.

"Harris will redesign one of the ALQ-172's Line Replaceable Units (LRU-1) as part of wider efforts to increase the electronic warfare suite's reliability, supportability and availability," according to a company news release.

"Hostile air defense systems are becoming more sophisticated and accessible in global conflict zones," said Ed Zoiss, president of Harris Electronic Systems. "With the B-52 set to remain a key component of U.S. strategic airpower for the next two decades, it is essential that it be equipped with innovative electronic warfare technology capable of defeating future threats."

About Michael Peck

Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him on X at @Mipeck1. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.

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