Northrop Grumman Wins $238 Million LAIRCM USAF Support Contract

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a$238 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide hardware and support for the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system.

Critical to the safe return of troops abroad, LAIRCM automatically detects a missile launch, determines if it is a threat and activates a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

Under the terms of the contract modification, Northrop Grumman will deliver additional transmitters, missile warning sensors, processors, lasers, control interface units and supporting equipment to the Air Force through April 2016.

"This represents a continuation of a 14-year relationship with the Air Force to protect our aircrews," said Carl Smith, vice president of infrared countermeasures programs at Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "Our LAIRCM open architecture has enabled this system to be upgraded and enhanced over time to introduce new technologies to counter emerging threats, while decreasing system cost, and steadily increasing reliability leading to an excellent total life cycle cost for the system."

Northrop Grumman's various infrared countermeasure systems are now installed or scheduled for installation on more than 1,000 military aircraft around the world to protect 54 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. Northrop Grumman and our teammate Selex ES have delivered more than 3,250 Pointer/Trackers to protect these aircraft, supporting greater than 1 million hours of theatre operation.