AN/ALQ-162
The AN/ALQ-162, carried on a variety of aircraft including the A-7B Corsair and the F/A-18 Hornet, automatically scans for threat signals, identifies threat, and generates countermeasures. The AN/ALQ-162 CMS provides automatic radar jamming against surface-to-air and airborne intercept missiles that use continuous wave (CW) radar for guidance. When the CW signals detected by the CMS are validated, jamming is initiated. The specific action taken by the MS is determined by the jamming thresholds programmed into the CMS. The ALQ-162 is designed to intercept and process Continuous Wave (CW) signals, and upgrades under evaluation include responses to pulse doppler radars. Jamming signals are produced in various formats to counter threat signals. The system is operated via a control panel located in the aircraft cockpit and can be used for stand-alone operation or in conjunction with a RWR which supplies threat identification signals. In use with all three US military services, the compact, lightweight ALQ-162 countermeasures set can be installed in pod, pylon or internal configurations.
The AN/ALQ-162(V)2 CMS is reprogrammable through the user data module and is programmed to respond to the CW signals of the most critical threat weapon systems anticipated to be encountered by the EH-60A in a hostile environment. The AN/ALQ-162(V)2 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter, one control unit and two identical antennas. The total system weight is 42 pounds.
The AN/ALQ-162(V)3 CMS is reprogrammable and is programmed to respond to the CW signals of the most critical threat weapon systems anticipated to be encountered by the RC-12 and MH-60K in a hostile environment. The AN/ALQ-162(V)3 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter and two identical antennas. The total system weight is 42 pounds.
The AN/ALQ-162(V)4 CMS is reprogrammable and is programmed to respond to the CW signals of the most critical threat weapon systems anticipated to be encountered by the MH-47E in a hostile environment. The AN/ALQ-162(V)4 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter and one antenna. The total system weight is 41 pounds.
In 1995 the Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $12 million contract to produce 32 ALQ-162 systems. A total of 650 systems have been produced for a variety of aircraft at a total price of over $200 million.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/an-alq-162.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Thursday, February 10, 2000 5:21:59 AM