BAE Systems has announced a new contract to modernize and sustain the AN/ALQ-221 defensive system of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force, enhancing the protection capabilities of one of the most iconic platforms in military aviation.
The agreement, issued by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, includes field technical support, repairs, and software updates for the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite. The goal is to ensure the system remains ready to detect, identify, and respond to increasingly sophisticated threats.
The AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System combines radar warning receivers with electronic countermeasures, providing U-2 pilots with greater situational awareness and improved self-protection capabilities during missions in sensitive or contested areas. According to BAE Systems, the system also uses onboard processing and long-range sensors to enhance the aircraft’s survivability.
According to Tim Angulas, U-2 product area director at BAE Systems, the upgrade is part of the company’s long-standing tradition in electronic warfare. He emphasized that evolving, modernizing, and sustaining such systems is central to the company’s mission, ensuring they remain effective throughout their operational life.
The company also stated that the AN/ALQ-221 has been continuously developed over decades as part of the broader U-2 modernization effort. The aircraft’s open avionics architecture and modular design help accelerate the integration of new capabilities as the threat environment evolves.
Despite being an aircraft originating in the Cold War, the U-2 remains relevant for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. With this upgrade, the United States aims to keep the aircraft ready to operate in high-complexity environments where electronic warfare plays an increasingly decisive role.
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Source and images: USAF | Robins Air Force Base. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
