Thu, Jan 27, 2005
Two Aircraft To Be Equipped With Guardian
Northrop Grumman
Wednesday announced it will install and flight test its commercial
aircraft protection system on a Boeing 747 and MD-11 this year.
The system, called Guardian, represents the successful transfer
of proven military directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM)
technology to protect commercial aircraft from attack by
ground-based, shoulder-fired missiles. Under its contract with the
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Northrop Grumman recently
completed the design and fabrication of the first Guardian systems.
This year's testing will be part of the Federal Aviation
Administration certification process.
The company estimates its Guardian system, which is based on
combat-proven, laser-based technology currently in production for
the US military and international customers, ultimately will cost
approximately half of recent published reports. "Guardian builds on
our highly successful military system to offer DHS, airlines and
the flying public, a reliable, superior system with affordable
life-cycle costs," said Robert Del Boca, vice president of Infrared
Countermeasures and Laser Systems for Northrop Grumman's Electronic
Systems sector.
Northrop Grumman says it is uniquely qualified in providing
defensive systems for aircraft for more than 60 years, including
industry leading infrared and laser technologies for the past 35
years. As an industry leader in the design, development and
production of lasers, producing more annually than all other
tactical laser manufacturers combined, the Guardian system is well
positioned to protect commercial aircraft from the threat of
heat-seeking missiles. The Northrop Grumman military system is
currently protecting more than 20 different aircraft types and
hundreds of aircraft fielded today.
Northrop Grumman is supported by two key industry partners on
its counter-MANPADS team, Federal Express and Northwest Airlines.
Federal Express will provide engineering services for installation,
and aircraft modification and certification. Northwest Airlines
will provide engineering and technical services to develop a
commercially viable equipment set suitable for operation within
commercial airframes.
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