$78M in LAIRCMs for USAF C-130s, C-17s, SOCOM
Combat Talon II
Using supplemental funding for the global war on terrorism, the US Air Force (USAF) is continuing its efforts to outfit more of its transport aircraft with the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Meadows, IL received a $78 million firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract modification to provide AAQ-24 (V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system hardware as well as the associated system support to include spares, support equipment, technical data, training, and installation support.
DID has covered a number of LAIRCM related contracts. The LAIRCM system includes detectors and crew warning systems, and automatically uses a modulated laser beam to jam incoming threats without crew intervention.
These LAIRCM systems will be fielded on 10 Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules aircraft, 22 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, and an unspecified number of Special Operations Command MC-130 Talon aircraft. Northrop-Grumman will also provide 2 C-130H2 Group A kits, 2 sets of C-130 Group B equipment, Group B Spares, and Laser Safety Goggles to replace two LAIRCM-equipped C-130s lost during recent operations in Southwest Asia (though these were not lost to the IR-guided threats against which the LAIRCM system is designed). There also will be depot infrastructure and infrastructure support for LAIRCM operations and repairs.
Negotiations were completed July 2005, and this work will be complete by July 2007. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (F33657-01-C-2093, P00082).
Additional Readings & Sources
- GLobalSecurity.org – Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)
- eDefense (July 20/05) – USAF Continues Push to Field LAIRCM
- Military Aerospace Technology (April 18/03) – Protecting the Big Birds
