Tue, Aug 09, 2005
Will Install DIRCM To Protect CV-22s
The US Special Operations Command
has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to $125 million to
supply directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems to
protect the aircrews of its CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft from
infrared-missile attack.
Deliveries of DIRCM systems under a $31.8 million initial firm
fixed-price contract will continue through 2010. The initial units
delivered will be small, multiband laser-transmitter assembly
variations of Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24 (V) DIRCM system, a
combat-proven, laser-based countermeasures system.
The only such system currently in production, the AN/AAQ-24 (V)
DIRCM is being installed on several hundred fixed- and rotary-wing
aircraft for the US military and several allied countries.
Later deliveries will represent the first production order for
Northrop Grumman's next-generation infrared countermeasures system,
which builds on the proven technology offered by the AN/AAQ-24 (V)
DIRCM. In development for the US Air Force, the next-generation
system is expected to be complete and certified for military use in
2006. The substantially smaller, lower-cost system will also
feature reliability enhancements over the already-dependable
system. The system's reduced size and weight will help extend
aircraft operational range.
"We are honored that the Special Operations Command has chosen
Northrop Grumman to be its supplier for CV-22 anti-missile
protection systems," said Bob Del Boca, vice president of infrared
countermeasures and laser systems at Northrop Grumman's Defensive
Systems Division. "With this contract, Special Operations Command
is assured of having the latest generation of infrared
countermeasures technology protecting the aircrews of its
latest-generation aircraft, the Osprey."
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