BAE previews new countermeasure system

NASHVILLE, April 20 (UPI)

BAE Systems' Survivability and Protection Solutions business in New Hampshire has previewed a new infrared threat countermeasure system for aircraft. Boldstroke, an $83 million in company investment, is a lightweight and highly reliable directable infrared countermeasure suite that uses modular open-system architecture and non-proprietary interfaces that support interchangeability and technology insertion. Boldstroke synthesizes the best attributes of prior generation laser jamming systems to meet the size, weight and power requirements of both light and heavy rotary-wing platforms, the company said. BAE said it will soon offer Boldstroke to the U.S. Army in a proposal for the service's Common Infrared Countermeasure program. "Highly relevant experience matters in the development and production of directable laser systems and that is certainly the case for the common infrared countermeasure program," said Jim Crouch, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems' Survivability and Protection Solutions business. "For 30 years we have pioneered threat exploitation, jam code development, hardware-in-the-loop simulations, flight tests and live fire tests. "BAE Systems has the technology, experience, and commitment to ensure Boldstroke exceeds the Army's requirements." BAE displayed the system at the Army Aviation Association of America's Annual Professional Forum and Exhibition in Nashville.