A light-weight version of Northrop Grumman’s Direct Infrared Counter-Measures (DIRCM) system is currently under development for the small combat helicopters most vulnerable to Man-Portable Air Defense (MANPAD) systems in combat theaters such as Afghanistan, said company officials during AFA’s Air & Space Conference Tuesday. Helicopters such as the Air Force’s HH-60 currently relies on flare countermeasures for infrared self defense, often ineffective against modern MANPAD threats. Northrop officials said DIRCM’s laser-based system offers more effective, non-expendable, IR countermeasures, greatly enhancing survivability and dependability. And, they said the modularity of the Common Infrared Countermeasures system permits easy upgrade and integration. Northrop is continuing development toward a single-system, multi-functional suite providing integrated threat, warning, protection, and situational awareness. Existing versions of the system equip larger US and allied aircraft including Royal Air Force C-17s and US Air Force CV-22s.
The Pentagon’s new counter-drone task force will play a direct role in arming Airmen with new weapons to defend Air Force agile combat employment, or ACE, air bases in austere locations against enemy drone attacks, the director of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 said Oct. 14.
