Northrop Grumman to sustain Aircraft Protection Systems for RAAF

Air September 25, 2019

Northrop Grumman has been chosen by the Australian Defence Organisation on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to continue its support of the service’s Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems.

Under the terms of the $96 million award, Northrop Grumman will provide sustainment, repair, engineering, logistics and training support services for LAIRCM, AN/AAR-47 and AN/APR-39. Currently, five aircraft types in the RAAF are protected with LAIRCM.

Northrop Grumman’s LAIRCM functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining whether it is a threat, and activating a high-intensity, laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

Work will be performed at Northrop Grumman’s repair facility at the RAAF Edinburgh base in South Australia. The facility provides efficient in-country support services for the repair and maintenance of LAIRCM systems, cutting the time to return a system to service by as much as 50%.

Northrop Grumman’s infrared countermeasures systems have been installed on more 1,500 aircraft of more than 80 different types, including both fixed and rotary wing.

Bob Gough, Vice President, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman, said: “Since 2001, Northrop Grumman and the RAAF have been working in partnership to keep aircrews safe from the threat of infrared guided missiles. This Australia-based sustainment activity is critical to keeping the LAIRCM system ready for aircrew safety and mission success.”

image courtesy of Northrop Grumman

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Australian Defence Organisation LAIRCM Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Northrop Grumman RAAF Royal Australian Air Force