The Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, has awarded Northrop Grumman a $49.5 million contract for the first delivery of hardware and support in the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) program. Northrop officials say the ceiling for the total five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract is $3.2 billion. Northrop will be working on C-17 and C-130 transports.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.