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USAF modifies Northrop Grumman's countermeasures award

The U.S. Air Force is to receive additional Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure system hardware from Northrop Grumman.

By Richard Tomkins
The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure, or LAIRCM, system. Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman
The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure, or LAIRCM, system. Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., June 2 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman is providing more Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure System hardware and support to the U.S. Air Force.

The combined LAIRCM order, worth a total of $111 million, comes as a modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price award from the service.

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"Aircraft survivability equipment is an essential element of protecting our aircrews," said Carl Smith, vice president of infrared counter-measures, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. "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."

LAIRCM automatically detects a missile launch, determines if it is a threat and activates a high-intensity laser-based counter-measure system to track and defeat the missile.

Under the contract modification, Northrop Grumman will deliver additional transmitters, missile warning sensors, processors, lasers, control interface units and supporting equipment to the Air Force and various customers around the world through April 2017.

In addition to legacy hardware, the delivery will include a modernized control interface unit replacement, Northrop Grumman said.

Additional details on the contract modification were not disclosed.

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