The U.S. Army has begun development work on an open architecture-based system that will work to counter man-portable air-defense systems-related threats and safeguard aircraft from infrared-guided missiles, C4ISR & Networks reported Thursday.
Amber Corrin writes Army officials said the Common Infrared Countermeasure system is scheduled to enter the final testing and deployment phase by fiscal 2019 and has been developed as a follow-on program to the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures initiative.
Northrop Grumman received a potential two-year, $35 million contract in August 2015 to continue manufacturing and engineering work on the service branch’s CIRCM program.
Col. Jong Lee, Army project manager for aircraft survivability equipment, told the publication a CIRCM system with an open architecture design will work to facilitate interoperability with various missile warning tools across service branches, Corrin reports.