1,200-mph US F-35 jets gain 360-degree electromagnetic view to spot threats quickly

BAE Systems will equip more F-35 Lightning II fighters with its AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare system under a new order from Lockheed Martin.

The award covers three upcoming batches of F-35 fighter jets, designated Lots 20 through 22, along with equipment to upgrade older aircraft already in service.

The AN/ASQ-239 gives the F-35 a dedicated system for sensing and responding to activity across the electromagnetic spectrum. Long-range detection helps pilots identify potential threats before they become immediate dangers.

Reading electromagnetic battlefield

Radar emissions can reveal a fighter or expose an air defense system preparing to engage. Quick recognition matters when an aircraft operates near hostile sensors and missile systems.

Passive sensors let the AN/ASQ-239 monitor its surroundings without constantly broadcasting its own signals. The suite can identify and analyze electromagnetic activity across a wide range of frequencies.

Early warning gives F-35 pilots more time to assess a threat and choose a response. BAE Systems says the system provides a 360-degree view of the electromagnetic battlespace.

Electronic countermeasures add another layer of protection. Depending on the threat, the F-35 can use its electronic warfare capabilities to support evasion or interfere with hostile sensors.

The system also combines rapid signal processing with advanced algorithms. Processing incoming data quickly helps distinguish potentially dangerous emissions from the enormous amount of activity present in a modern battlespace.

Software keeps threats changing

Electronic warfare systems face an unusual upgrade cycle. Adversaries can alter radar behavior or introduce new emitters without warning.

Software updates let the AN/ASQ-239 adapt to those changes. New capabilities can reach the aircraft without replacing the entire electronic warfare architecture. “We’ve continuously evolved our EW hardware and software,” said Amber Dolan, BAE Systems’ vice president of F-35 Solutions. She said the company is focused on scaling production and delivering software-based capabilities faster.

Hardware upgrades can also improve the system’s performance. BAE Systems’ Digital Channelized Receiver Techniques Generator and Tuner Insertion Program adds new capabilities while reducing the suite’s size and power requirements.

More efficient hardware leaves additional room for future upgrades inside the fighter. The architecture also helps reduce the volume and power needed by the electronic warfare equipment.

New jets and older fighters

BAE Systems will manufacture systems for the three upcoming F-35 production batches covered by the order. Equipment will also support retrofits and modernization work on earlier aircraft.

Older F-35s can therefore receive newer electronic warfare capabilities without waiting for replacement aircraft. The approach also helps keep different parts of the fleet aligned as threats evolve. Production is expanding alongside the aircraft upgrades. Automation and newer manufacturing methods are helping BAE Systems increase output.

Facility investments will support that higher production rate as more F-35s enter service. The company is also using updated system designs to streamline manufacturing and sustain production at higher volumes.

The AN/ASQ-239 ultimately gives the F-35 another way to understand its surroundings before a fight becomes visible. In contested airspace, recognizing an enemy signal early can shape what happens next.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/military/f-35-360-degree-electromagnetic-view