BAE Systems has delivered its 20,000th warning sensor for U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and allied aircraft missile warning systems, an achievement made possible by teaming with the Navy NAVAIR program office, and prime contractor ATK.

BAE Systems has been a key supplier to ATK since 1998, providing sensor components for the AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems as part of the ongoing Navy roadmap of airborne protection and system improvements for the Navy, Air Force, Army, and foreign allied fleets.

The laser detection sensors provide critical warning systems for surface-to-air and air-to-air missile threats. The sensors incorporate detectors and signal processing assets that enable the system to process warnings in real time to provide automated and direct flight response to battlefield threats.

"BAE Systems' work on this critical program has helped to reduce cost, improve efficiency, increase speed to market, and ultimately provide enhanced protection for air crews," said Scotty Burch, program manager for BAE Systems in Austin, Texas, where the sensors are manufactured.

"Our support structure includes the right talent to support the science and production capabilities that it takes to get these defense systems to the air crews."

"ATK values the work of BAE Systems, and all of our suppliers, in providing safe, reliable, dependable products that our customers can count on to defend their aircraft and, more importantly, their lives," said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK Defense Electronics Systems.

"We share a strong commitment to delivering high-quality products and providing customers with the aircraft protection they need when flying in harm's way."

BAE Systems has received more than $100 million in orders as the manufacturer of the sensor sub-system. Together with the Navy's NAVAIR leadership and ATK, BAE Systems supports a growing numbers of active U.S. and allied aircraft platforms and missions, providing critical survivability equipment to keep the air crews safe in today's changing mission landscape.