L-3 Communications has acquired Avisys, a key player in one of the three teams involved in the US Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) programme to develop infrared countermeasures systems to protect commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles.

A downselect in the DHS Counter Manpads (man-portable air defence system) programme is expected by mid-August, with two teams likely to receive contracts to flight-test their systems. Austin, Texas-based Avisys is system architect for the United Airlines-led team, which is proposing a decoy-based system.

BAE Systems, teamed with Delta Air Lines, and Northrop Grumman, teamed with FedEx Express and Northwest Airlines, are both offering laser-based systems.

Privately held Avisys developed the widebody integrated platform protection system (WIPPS), which was certificated on a Jordanian head-of-state Airbus A340 early this year. The WIPPS is the basis of the commercial airliner protection system (CAPS) under development for the DHS. CAPS uses safe "special-materials" flares to decoy infrared-guided missiles. L-3 is already on the CAPS team, with its Integrated Systems division responsible for aircraft integration and certification.

Avisys hopes the DHS will decide to take two competing technologies through to the next phase of its Counter Manpads programme, pitting its decoy-based system against one of the two directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) solutions.

L-3 says CAPS is a low-cost system with the potential to grow to include DIRCM when airlines are better able to absorb the laser system's higher life-cycle costs.

Israel, which has fitted its airliners with flare-based anti-missile systems, has selected a DIRCM developed jointly by Elbit Systems and Rafael as the long-term solution for civil aircraft protection. The system will combine Rafael's Britening DIRCM with the multi-spectral fibre laser developed by Elbit subsidiary El-Op.

The two companies formed a team last month to complete development of the system. Rafael will lead activity in the civil market and El-Op will lead military applications. The Israeli government plans to install the system on aircraft operated by the country's airlines: Arkia, El-Al and Israir.

GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC

 

Source: Flight International