ITT Electronic Systems chose Mercury for several reasons. The JCREW 3.3 specification requires open architecture-based software-enabled implementations; ITT believed that Mercury’s leadership in open architecture (exemplified by OpenVPX™) and proficiency in subsystem application development would ably satisfy these requirements. ITT has cited other valuable factors, including expertise in electronic warfare turnkey professional engineering services, and rapid production capabilities, for selecting Mercury.
“Mercury is very excited to be an integral part of the JCREW program with ITT, a leading supplier of electronic warfare technologies, to help provide counter IED subsystem solutions,” stated Randy Dean, Vice President of Product Line Management at Mercury. “The unique electronic warfare capabilities that we are providing to ITT will ensure a technically superior and timely counter IED implementation.” Paul Mueller, Vice President and General Manager Force Protection Systems, ITT Electronic Systems, added: “I am confident that together, ITT and Mercury are an ideal team to develop systems and technology so critical to mission success and survivability. We feel that teaming with Mercury was a very significant factor in winning this program.”
All electronic warfare applications involve access to the electromagnetic spectrum, denying access for enemies, and ensuring access for allied forces. The counter-IED application is an example of active electronic warfare, which not only searches the electromagnetic spectrum for energy, but also takes action to mitigate that energy. The counter-IED technology that Mercury will supply to ITT is based on the previously announced active electronic warfare solutions. Mercury offers 3U and 6U OpenVPX product lines specifically designed and optimized for high-density processing, high memory bandwidth, and I/O, key features required for active electronic warfare.