The US Army has signed a $484 million deal with BAE Systems to dramatically improve the survivability of its helicopters by adding updated missile warning and multi-band laser jamming systems.
The five-year deal covers the delivery of 484 combined common missile warning system/advanced threat infrared countermeasures (CMWS/ATIRCM) systems.
Upgrades are expected for the army's Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk transports, although details of the service's survivability programme remain classified.
The army plans to eventually purchase 1,076 CMWS/ATIRCM systems to protect its helicopter fleet, the target of numerous successful shoulder-launched missile attacks in Iraq last year.
In one case, a CH-47 was downed after its BAE ALQ-156 missile approach warners failed to operate properly, says the army.
The upgrade is mostly funded via the February 2004 cancellation of the army's Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche programme.
As part of the deal, BAE plans to provide a multi-band laser capability for ATIRCM years ahead of schedule, says business development manager Christopher Ager.
The army has encouraged BAE to use a multi-band laser already developed for the Northrop Grumman directional infrared countermeasures system.
* The US Air Force intends to equip its 50 Lockheed C-5B Galaxy strategic transports with Northrop Grumman's large aircraft infrared countermeasures system, already mandated for its Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130 fleets.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
