Boeing Company

Software updates provide improved situational awareness and self-protection capabilities for the venerable Dragon Lady

NASHUA, N.H., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) was awarded a contract by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia to support and sustain the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) for the U.S. Air Force's U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide continuous field service support for the aircraft's electronic warfare (EW) system, complete repairs to maintain system availability, and provide software updates so it can detect and engage new threats.

The AN/ALQ-221 system provides integrated radar warning and electronic countermeasures that equip U-2 pilots with situational awareness and self-protection capabilities. The system includes long-range sensors and onboard processing, enabling the U-2 to operate in contested airspace and provide vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information to decision-makers.

"The Advanced Defensive System for the U-2 is part of BAE Systems' long legacy in electronic warfare," said Tim Angulas, U-2 product area director at BAE Systems. "Evolving, modernizing, and sustaining EW systems is in our DNA. Our efforts ensure they can operate effectively throughout their lifecycles."

BAE Systems has continuously matured and advanced the ADS during the system's 60-year lifespan, and it is an integral part of the U-2's modernization program. The aircraft's unique, modular design and open avionics architecture allow BAE Systems to quickly develop, test, and field capabilities to support battlespace operations.

Sustaining the U-2's defensive suite is part of BAE Systems' culture of EW excellence. The company is a leader in the field, with decades of experience designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art systems that counter the world's most advanced threats. Its deep domain expertise, talented engineering workforce, and sophisticated manufacturing capabilities support its drive to deliver the EW systems of tomorrow that will dominate the electromagnetic spectrum.

The AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System is sustained by experts at BAE Systems' facility in Nashua, New Hampshire and by dedicated field service representatives.

For more information, visit: www.baesystems.com/ew.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Daly, BAE Systems

Mobile: 603-233-7636

mark.g.daly@baesystems.us

www.baesystems.com/en-us

@BAESystemsInc

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SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.

Key milestone reached for U.S. Space Force program that will bolster current satellite defense capabilities 

BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 program to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

This milestone establishes the technical foundation for the satellite and ground command and control (C2) systems. Completion of the preliminary design for a multi-satellite constellation was achieved in less than nine months from the time of award.

This was possible using high technology readiness level components such as BAE Systems' TREK product bus, the use of model-based systems engineering, and its extensive heritage with infra-red optical payloads.

"We have achieved a successful Preliminary Design Review with Space Force's Space Systems Command, based on our collective use of digital modelling and simulation that validates the implementation of our plan," said Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of Military Space for BAE Systems. "BAE Systems is leading this integrated program from a mission planning level, payload and bus delivery, to launch, ground and operations support."

BAE Systems serves as the prime contractor for the program, which features extensive use of digital model-based systems engineering to streamline data analysis and design capabilities.

The company will design and build 10 spacecraft for the MEO Epoch 2 mission. It will also develop the ground system that will manage the satellite constellation by delivering mission management, command and control and mission operations solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

The mission will provide resilient, space-based missile warning and tracking of ballistic missiles and advanced threats, such as hypersonic glide vehicles.

The SSC MEO Epoch 2 program is a part of Department of War and Space Force satellite constellations that BAE Systems supports to enhance national security and defense.

For more information, please contact:

Brian Rantala, BAE Systems

Mobile: 720-995-8253

brian.rantala@baesystems.us

www.baesystems.com/en-us

@BAESystemsInc

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SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.