L3Harris Technologies has reached testing milestones in the development of its next-generation Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) system for the US Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet.
This progress is part of an $80m contract awarded in 2023 to develop an upgraded electronic warfare system for The Boeing-manufactured aircraft.
The Super Hornet has two versions – the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model – capable of performing a range of missions.
These include air superiority, precision strikes, fighter escort, close air support, SEAD, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control, and tanker operations.
L3Harris has recently completed essential hardware verifications and showcased advanced capabilities, laying the groundwork for further integration and testing.
During a two-day event in August at the Navy's air test and evaluation unit in Patuxent River, personnel from L3Harris and Boeing conducted hardware fit checks on the ADVEW system components for the F/A-18.
These checks involved use of 3D-printed prototypes of the system parts, including connectors and cabling, to ensure the components seamlessly integrate with the aircraft.
The absence of significant issues during this phase confirms the design viability and aids in expediting further subsequent prototype development.
The company noted that the effective fit checks underscore the value of employing additive manufacturing for technology development. By producing accurate physical models of system elements, engineers can detect and address potential design conflicts well before entering the formal modification stage.
In collaboration with Naval Air Systems Command, L3Harris tested the ADVEW system at the US Navy's Threat Air Defense Lab, which offers a controlled simulation setting to assess new capabilities against government-validated threat models.
Over five days of testing, ADVEW met expectations, demonstrating capabilities in advanced threat response techniques.
L3Harris Airborne Combat Systems president Jennifer Lewis said: “These two critical testing milestones are our latest successes in decades of delivering cutting-edge EW capabilities to the F/A-18.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to move to the next phase of development as we continue push the boundaries of what’s possible in protecting US Navy aircrews from emerging threats.”
L3Harris anticipates conducting the next major design review with the Navy by late 2024. The schedule includes prototype integration and testing beginning in early 2025, with the initial system deployment expected in mid-2025.
The Navy plans to perform chamber tests towards the end of 2025 to confirm system performance on an actual F/A-18 aircraft.
