The US Air Force is accelerating installation of directional infrared countermeasures systems on 12 Boeing C-17 transports operated by the Air Mobility Command. Installations will begin in the third quarter and be completed by March 2004.
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $7.2 million contract to deliver a single-transmitter version of its large-aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) system "as rapidly as possible", says the US Department of Defense. The system is now under development for the C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130.
The single-transmitter, or "Boss", configuration includes a single laser-jammer turret and six AAR-54 ultraviolet missile warning sensors. The configuration is an interim system until the C-17s can be reconfigured to full LAIRCM standard, which includes three laser transmitters.
Installation of LAIRCM on the first C-17s was due to be completed in 2006-7. The accelerated order will be fulfilled using available hardware and an abbreviated test programme. Northrop Grumman has completed live-fire testing of LAIRCM and will provide aircrew and maintainer training and field support for the interim systems. It will also upgrade to LAIRCM standard the processors in AAQ-24 (V) Nemesis directional infrared countermeasures systems delivered to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Source: Flight International
