Defence

The US Federal Aviation Administration has completed installation of a Northrop Grumman AAQ-24(V) directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system on the first of four Bombardier Challenger flight inspection aircraft, to protect against attack by shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles while operating outside the USA.

Flight testing of the modified aircraft, a Challenger 601-3A, began last week at the FAA's aeronautical centre in Oklahoma City. Two more 601-3As and a 604 are to be similarly equipped. The FAA designed the installation, which uses the AAR-54 ultraviolet missile warning system and a single small laser jammer turret.

The FAA plans supplemental type certification of the DIRCM installation, which Northrop says would allow other operators of Challenger business jets to fit the same system. The AAQ-24(V) large aircraft infrared countermeasures system is already installed on several military transport types, as well as US and foreign government-operated Gulfstream Vs, BAe 146s and HS125 civil aircraft, the company says.

Several airliner types used for VVIP transport have also been, or will be, equipped with the military anti-missile system, but Northrop has developed a commercial DIRCM under a US Department of Homeland Security programme. A number of FedEx Express Boeing MD-10 freighters are being equipped for an 18-month trial of the system in revenue service. BAE Systems has also developed a commercial DIRCM.