BAE Systems will continue to supply fiber optic towed decoys to the U.S. Navy

The Naval Air Systems Command is planning to award a sole source contract to BAE Systems, of Nashua, NH, to supply more than 1,500 fiber optic towed decoys designed to protect F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft from attacking radar-guided missiles.

The decoys, designated as AN/ALE-55 fiber optic towed decoys, or FOTDs, will be procured during a one-year base period and, perhaps, four one-year option periods, according to a presolicitation notice released by the Naval Air Warfare Center’s aircraft division at Pax River in Maryland.

“In addition, the contractor shall provide field and technical support including: technical investigations and analysis of reported field problems (hardware and software), initial aircraft installation and checkout, on-site setup, debugging, data reduction and reporting, flight and maintenance crew training, pre-flight briefing, post-flight debriefing and technical support for the integration and compatibility of the AN/ALE-55 FOTDs and [Electronic Frequency Converters] with other avionics,” explains the notice.

BAE Systems won an open competition back in 1995 to develop and produce this system.

“BAE Systems is the only qualified source with the comprehensive knowledge, rights and technical data to meet the design and performance requirements for the ALE-55 FOTDs and EFCs, while maintaining commonality and meeting the required schedule,” it added.

Further information about the upcoming award is available from Colleen Caouette, a contracts specialist, at 301-342-3159 or colleen.caouette@navy.mil.