Northrop Grumman has been awarded a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) hardware and support contract modification from the US Air Force, it announced on 1 June.
Under the $111 million combined order, Northrop Grumman will provide additional control interface units, lasers, processors, missile warning sensors, transmitters and supporting equipment for the LAIRCM system to the air force and other customers worldwide through April 2017. The company will also provide an upgraded control interface unit replacement.
The LAIRCM system can automatically detect missile launches, determine if it is a threat, and activate a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system for tracking and defeating the missile.
Carl Smith, vice president of infrared countermeasures, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, said: 'Aircraft survivability equipment is an essential element of protecting our aircrews.
'Because of our approach toward modular open systems architecture, we're able to help our warfighters stay ahead of emerging threats by continuing to introduce new technologies adding additional system capability while decreasing system cost and increasing reliability.'