BAE Systems submits US Army CIRCM proposal
BAE Systems has submitted its proposal for the US Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) programme – a lightweight, low-cost, and modular laser-based aircraft protection system, designed to protect US helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from infrared guided missiles.
CIRCM is designed to be part of a suite of infrared countermeasures that also includes a missile warning system and a dispenser for flares. Infrared threat detection is currently provided on US Army aircraft by BAE Systems’ Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). Both CIRCM and the dispenser receive the handoff from CMWS and provide appropriate countermeasures to defeat the threat.
Bill Staib, director of threat management solutions, BAE Systems, said: ‘The submission of our CIRCM proposal is the latest offering in our more than 40 years of experience with infrared countermeasures, delivering critical aviation survivability equipment to our armed forces.
‘We are leveraging the company’s extensive expertise to submit a proposal for a next-generation aircraft survivability solution, which would protect US military aircraft and troops from existing and evolving infrared-guided threats.’
Along with Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems was awarded an initial contract in 2012 to compete in the CIRCM technology demonstration phase. The company’s offering has been tested and evaluated at its Worrell/Weeks Aircrew Protection Center; and initial unit delivery, lab testing, design reviews, and flight testing have been conducted on schedule.
The US Army will award a 26-month contract for the engineering, manufacturing, development, and delivery of 21 CIRCM systems in early 2015.
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