Raytheon has received an $80-million contract to produce a next-generation electronic warfare prototype for the US Navy’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft.
The system will serve as an option to replace the fleet’s existing AN/ALQ-214 integrated defensive electronic countermeasure and AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver.
The Virginia defense company is facilitating work alongside L3Harris, which announced its own approach to the project last month.
A follow-on development and fabrication agreement will be awarded to the selected solution in 2026.
Raytheon’s ADVEW Technology
For the initiative, Raytheon will develop its Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) platform featuring “significant” system upgrades, fewer components, and an open architecture design for future configurations.
ADVEW will maintain compatibility with legacy systems found in the Super Hornets, including radio frequency sensors and effectors still employed by the vehicles.
Tasks supporting the ADVEW prototype’s maturation will take place in Goleta, California.
Throughout the 36-month effort, ADVEW will be evaluated under a preliminary design review, critical design review, and flight testing activities.
Raytheon wrote that the ADVEW technology has the potential to preserve the US Navy Super Hornets’ electronic warfare advantage and boost its resilience against evolving threats.
“These advancements are paving the way for the next generation of electronic warfare,” Raytheon Advanced Products & Solutions President Bryan Rosselli stated.
“We are completely replacing and consolidating the legacy systems into a one-box solution that will deliver a generational refresh to the electronic warfare capability for the lifetime of the Super Hornet.”
