BAE Systems to Supply Allies with US Missile Warning System

Why It Matters

The contract deepens BAE’s foothold in the global survivability market and enhances allied aircraft protection, reinforcing NATO‑aligned defense interoperability.

Key Takeaways

• BAE wins $137M for CMWS under US FMS program
• CMWS will protect aircraft of over 20 allied nations
• System compatible with rotary and fixed‑wing platforms, 40+ types
• Line‑replaceable units swap in three‑to‑five minutes, no tools
• More than 3,000 units delivered since 2005, proven combat record

Pulse Analysis

The growing sophistication of infrared and radio‑frequency guided missiles has driven militaries worldwide to prioritize aircraft survivability. BAE Systems, already a leader in defensive avionics, leverages its AN/AAR‑57 Common Missile Warning System to meet this demand. By securing a $137 million Foreign Military Sales contract, BAE not only reinforces its revenue stream but also signals confidence from over 20 partner nations seeking proven, interoperable protection for both rotary and fixed‑wing platforms.

Technically, the CMWS stands out for its modular architecture and rapid maintenance cycle. Line‑replaceable units can be swapped on the flight line in three to five minutes without specialized tools, minimizing aircraft downtime. The system’s ability to detect a spectrum of threats—from infrared seekers to unguided munitions—and automatically trigger countermeasures enhances crew survivability. Production across three U.S. sites—Huntsville, Austin, and Nashua—ensures a resilient supply chain, supporting the delivery of more than 3,000 units since its 2005 debut and integration on over 40 aircraft types.

Strategically, the agreement expands BAE’s Intrepid Shield portfolio, a layered‑defence philosophy that integrates electromagnetic‑spectrum sensing with active countermeasures. For allied forces, adopting a common warning system simplifies training, logistics, and joint operations, bolstering NATO‑aligned interoperability. As global air threats evolve, the CMWS positions BAE to capture further growth, potentially influencing future procurement cycles and reinforcing its status as a cornerstone supplier of survivability solutions in the defense aerospace market.

BAE Systems to supply allies with US missile warning system

Image: Three helicopters fly over a cityscape inside a transparent bubble with red warning symbols

Caption: BAE Systems’ AN/AAR‑57 CMWS protects aircraft and crews from missiles and other threats. Credit: © BAE Systems.

BAE Systems has been awarded contracts valued at $137 million through the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Sales programme to deliver its AN/AAR‑57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) to allied countries.

The new agreements will extend the protection offered by CMWS to aircraft fleets operated by more than 20 nations, according to information released by the company.

BAE Systems manufactures the CMWS at its facilities in Huntsville, Alabama; Austin, Texas; and Nashua, New Hampshire.

The CMWS is designed to detect a range of threats including infrared and radio‑frequency guided missiles as well as unguided munitions. Once a threat is identified, the system automatically cues warnings and countermeasures in real time, supporting crew and aircraft survivability.

According to BAE Systems, the system is compatible with both rotary‑ and fixed‑wing platforms, having already been installed on over 40 different aircraft types worldwide since its initial fielding in 2005.

The CMWS includes line‑replaceable units that can be switched out in three to five minutes on the flight line, without the use of specialised tools or test equipment.

BAE Systems integrated survivability solutions director Jared Belinsky said:

“International customers continue to choose CMWS for its proven effectiveness and reliability in combat, where it has saved many lives.”

The company stated it has delivered more than 3,000 units of the missile warning system since production began.

In addition to the CMWS, the company produces other missile‑warning technologies such as the 2‑Color Advanced Warning System currently fielded by the U.S. Army. Both systems are part of BAE Systems’ broader Intrepid Shield approach to platform survivability, a layered‑defence philosophy that leverages the electromagnetic spectrum to detect and counter a variety of evolving threats.

Earlier in 2024, BAE Systems secured separate contracts from the U.S. Army totalling $114 million for further deliveries of the common missile warning system.