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| BOL- F/A-18 countermeasure dispenser (Image: Saab) |
Defence and security company Saab has received an order from Australia for a number of additional BOL countermeasure dispensers to be used on F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft. Deliveries will take place during 2016.
BOL is a high-capacity countermeasure dispenser for chaff and flares, which provides pilots with a sustained defensive capability to successfully accomplish their missions. Australia acquired BOL in 2008 for the F/A-18A/B Hornets of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This new order for an undisclosed number of BOL systems will increase the RAAF’s operational capability.
Australia’s Hornets can carry up to four BOLs, each BOL with 160 chaff/infra-red decoy packages. A full load of four pods provides long duration self-protection through pre-emptive dispensing. This is a major feature and advantage of the BOL system, as it prevents lock-on from enemy fighters and a range of missiles.
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| BOL - mounted on a Missile Pylon |
“The success of BOL continues, and we are proud to receive this order from the Royal Australian Air Force. It is a testament to the capability and reliability of the BOL,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of business unit Electronic Warfare Systems, Saab.
BOL offers numerous installation options on new production aircraft and also for aircraft upgrades. The slender shape of BOL lends itself to easy installation on aircraft structures, missile launchers and pylons. It is currently operational on several fighter aircraft, including the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.