Infrared countermeasure systems in development for U.S. Air Force
NewsJune 28, 2021
FALLS CHURCH, Va. Northrop Grumman Corporation will install more Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems on United States and international fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft under a $146 million order from the U.S. Air Force.
The award is part of an existing indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to Northrop Grumman for LAIRCM upgrades, modifications, and installations on a wide range of aircraft, including the C-17, C-5, C-130J, P-8, CH-53K, KC-46 and platforms operated by international customers.
Northrop Grumman’s family of countermeasure systems such as LAIRCM and the new Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system are designed to provide spherical protection by detecting, tracking, and jamming incoming infrared threats. The systems defeat threats by directing a high-intensity laser beam into the eye of the fast-moving missile’s infrared seeker.
Using a range of industry best practices to achieve agility, Northrop Grumman officials claim that it leverages a modularized agile framework to continue providing capable and adaptable LAIRCM systems to the U.S. Air Force.
