BAE Systems Helo Countermeasures Against Shoulder-fired Missiles Ready For Export

BAE Systems announced today that its advanced threat infrared countermeasures (Atirm) system for helicopters against shoulder-fired missiles has been approved by the Pentagon for export.

BAE and the US Army developed the system to protect Army helicopters against shoulder-fired missiles. The Atirm system, designated AN/ALQ-212, makes use of BAE’s common missile warning system for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft to detect incoming missiles and communicate the missile’s position relative to the aircraft. Atircm then locates and tracks the incoming threat and emits a high-energy laser to defeat the missile’s infrared seeker, blinding its guidance system.

The US Army has deployed the system on helicopters serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2009.

“In today’s environment with the proliferation of surface-to-air missiles, a proven aircraft survivability system to counter advanced threats meets an immediate need,” said Bill Staib, BAE Systems director of threat management solutions.