British company BAE Systems recently announced it will provide support for the protection systems of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft, under a contract awarded by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. The agreement includes maintenance of the AN/ALQ-221 advanced air defense system, a key component for the self-protection and situational awareness of these surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
According to reports, the company will provide ongoing in-service support for the U-2 Dragon Lady’s electronic warfare (EW) system, in addition to performing repairs to maintain the system’s operational availability. The contract also includes software upgrades to enhance its ability to detect and counter emerging threats in increasingly demanding environments.
The AN/ALQ-221 system integrates radar warning and electronic countermeasures capabilities, providing pilots with self-protection capabilities during missions. It also incorporates long-range sensors and onboard processing, enabling the U-2 to operate in contested airspace and generate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for 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 manager at BAE Systems. Along the same lines, he added: “Evolving, modernizing, and sustaining electronic warfare systems is in our DNA. Our efforts ensure they can operate effectively throughout their entire lifecycle.”
BAE Systems indicated that it has continued to develop and improve the ADS throughout the system’s 60-year lifespan, as part of the U-2 modernization program. The open avionics architecture and modular design of the aircraft, according to the company, allow for the faster development, testing, and integration of new capabilities to support battlefield operations.
The announcement comes as the U-2 Dragon Lady regained operational visibility in mid-March, after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released infographics detailing the assets deployed during the first ten days of Operation Epic Fury. These materials highlighted the presence of these aircraft, which have been in service for over 70 years, at a time when the United States and Israel were conducting air operations over Iran, although the specific missions in which they participated were not detailed.
*Images for illustrative purposes only.
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