Elbit Systems of America Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $471,634,000 ceiling firm-fixed-price contract for F-16 sustainment. This contract provides for a pylon-based infrared missile warning system for the F-16 platform. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be complete by February 2030.

F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, June 18, 2019 (Picture source: U.S. DOD)

This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account funds in the amount of $17,050,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8232-20-D-0003). (Awarded Feb. 28, 2020).

Elbit Systems’ PAWS family of airborne warning systems are suitable for all aircraft types. They provide an early warning regarding the presence of MANPADS, extended range Electro-Optical guided missiles, Surface-to-Air missiles, Air-to-Air missiles, RPGs, heavy machine guns and small arms. Using sophisticated signal processing and algorithms, PAWS detect and track incoming missiles, identify threatening ones, alert the aircrew with audio-visual warning signals, initiate timely flare dispensing and precisely cue Directional IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) towards an approaching missile. The PAWS systems operate either as a stand-alone, self-contained systems or as a part of a complete EW suite. The PAWS processing unit is provisioned to support expanded capabilities such as radar warning and laser warning. PAWS provides threat information to other EW and/or avionic systems for centralized display and management, as well as for enabling further threat handling.