NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Within six months of receiving an urgent requirement for the rapid deployment of improved Aircraft Survivability Equipment, NAVAIR fielded improved capabilities for the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter and the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

The Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems program office (PMA-272) here, rapidly upgraded the detection capability of the AAR-47(V)2 Missile Warning System, increased the number of flares carried by the ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System and fielded advanced Air Expendable Countermeasures common to all Marine Corps assault aircraft.

“This suite of improvements offers better detection of incoming missiles and is capable of providing advanced active countermeasures to decoy missiles launched from Man-Portable Air Defense Systems,” said Matt Lehtonen, deputy integrated product team lead for Assault ASE. “All improvements were recently tested under fire during missions in Iraq with great success, saving lives on aircraft operating in harm's way.

PMA-272 is currently fielding the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure System (LAIRCM) for the Marines’ CH-53E Sea Stallion aircraft.

“We continue to work on advanced ASE capabilities for several Type/Model/Series aircraft,” said Capt. Paul Overstreet, PMA-272 program manager. “Platforms that will benefit from future improvements include the CH-46E Sea Knight; CH-53D/E Sea Stallion; AH-1W Cobra; UH-1N/Y Huey; MV-22 Osprey; KC-130J/T Hercules; UC-12 Huron; MH-60R/S, SH-60B, and HH-60H Seahawk; and P-3 Orion Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program aircraft.”

The PMA-272 team and the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft were recently recognized by Brig. Gen. Robert Walsh, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) commanding officer, for the outstanding service provided to the Fleet.

“I would like to extend my personal thanks to you, PEO(T) and the PMA-272 team for your efforts in once again keeping our Marines safe,” said Walsh. “Your team has once again proven the viability of our ASE systems in combat, the extraordinary team you have at NAVAIR and the tremendous personal relationships you have built with our industry partners. Enhancing our combat effectiveness while protecting our most precious assets -- the pilots, crew and passengers of these aircraft -- is our number one priority, and you have confirmed over and over again that it is also yours.”

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CUTLINES

ASE1 -- Effectiveness flight testing of the CH-46E Sea Knight’s nose dispensers at China Lake, March 2007. (U.S. Navy Photo)

ASE2 -- Advanced flare safe separation testing of the MV-22 Osprey’s ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser system at Patuxent River, December 2008. (U.S. Navy Photo)