BAE Systems celebrated last week the production and delivery of the 250th electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft program. The EW suite protects the F-35 with advanced technology for next-generation missions to counter current and emerging threats.

"The F-35 is a critical platform for our nation's defense, and this delivery is a significant milestone for the entire program," said Tom Arseneault, president of BAE Systems' Electronic Systems sector, at a September 16 event recognizing employees at the company's facility in Nashua, New Hampshire.

"Providing this extraordinary technology builds on our more than 60-year electronic warfare legacy. And more importantly, it provides our warfighters with the critical edge they need to successfully complete their mission and return home safely."

Designed and manufactured by BAE Systems, the EW suite is equipped with offensive and defensive options for both the pilot and aircraft. It provides fully integrated radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats, providing F-35 pilots with maximum situational awareness. The suite is designed to help allied forces identify, monitor, analyze, and respond to potential threats.

As the sole EW provider for the F-35, BAE Systems is producing one suite for every aircraft to be manufactured.