The new self-protection system is being fielded on more than 1,500 Army aircraft, after the Initial Operational Capability was reached last year.
Northrop Grumman recently delivered to the U.S. Army the 500th Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) kit, receiving in turn the fourth yearly CIRCM contract award. After the new $147 million production order, the company says it has
another 336 kits on order, which would bring this technology to more than 800 aircraft in total.
Last year,
when the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was achieved, Northrop Grumman said it had delivered over 250 CIRCM systems to the Army, including the 100 that were already installed on the service’s helicopters. The company also noted that it has delivered on each commitment by providing all systems on time.
“Our latest CIRCM production award is a recognition of our continued partnership with the U.S. Army and builds on our on-time delivery momentum,” said Bob Gough, vice president of aircraft survivability, Northrop Grumman. “Since reaching full-rate CIRCM production, we have driven performance and speed in delivering on our commitments to meet the Army’s needs.”
The requirements for IOC have been reached on the UH-60M, HH-60M, CH-47F and
AH-64Es, paving the way for the accelerated fielding of CIRCM systems on more than 1,500 Army aircraft. Last year it was disclosed that, since the first field installation in Dec. 2021, CIRCM accumulated more than 11,000 flight hours, while Northrop Grumman mentions that the number increased to 30,000 operational flight hours.
The new self-protection system is being fielded on more than 1,500 Army aircraft, after the Initial Operational Capability was reached last year. Northrop
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