$5.9M for LAIRCM UV Testing on CH-53E Helicopters

CH-53E Super Stallion(click to view full) Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems’ Defensive Systems Division in Rolling Meadows, IL received a $5.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0012) for Group-A and Group-B testing support on the Navy CH-53E Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Ultra Violet Engineering Change Proposal (ECP). Readers who follow DID know that LAIRCM systems protect large aircraft against infrared-guided missiles by detecting the incoming missile, then firing pulsed lasers at its guidance head to confuse it. Using infrared and ultraviolet together in the detection process helps improve results, just as it does on the other end for missiles like the FIM-92B+ Stinger. A number of advanced aircraft defensive systems currently use this combination, and refinements are an ongoing process. This particular ECP contract includes the development, operational and ECP validation and verification, support for personnel in the Safety of Flight Clearance process, and the installation of a Flight Instrumentation package. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, IL and is expected to be complete in May 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.