Northrop Grumman to Demonstrate LAIRCM on Rotary Wing Aircraft

Released on Friday, June 01, 2007

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded a $9,871,710 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to provide for the System Development and Demonstration for he Cost Effective Light Aircraft Missile Protection (CELAMP) system as well as system integration with AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system, System Integration laboratory testing, and flight testing. CELAMP will be an evolution of previous Defense Acquisition Challenge Program work performed by the Raytheon Co., to develop a light weight, low cost Infrared (IR) countermeasures assembly (Quiet Eyes micro-turret) that leverages guidance components from the combat proven AIM-9X IR missile to provide highly responsive, all-aspect IR protection. Northrop Grumman Corp. and the Raytheon Co., will bring their respective LAIRCM and Quiet Eyes experience/capabilities together to integrate the Quiet Eyes technology wit the LAIRCM system. This letter contract effort will demonstrate an integration of the Quiet Eyes micro-turret with LAIRCM AAQ-24(V) components with the intent of providing IR protection for US Army and Navy helicopters (such as the MH-47 and AH-1Z) in addition to Air Force aircraft like the A-10 and MH-53. At this time, $3,485,000 have been obligated. This work will be complete May 2008. Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-07-C-6477).