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World Defense & Security Industry News - Northrop Grumman
 
 
Northrop Grumman to equip Canadian CH-147F Chinooks with infrared countermeasures systems
 
Northrop Grumman announced yesterday, March 25, it has been selected by the Royal Canadian Air Force to provide infrared missile protection on its fleet of CH-147F Chinook transport helicopters. "Battle-tested in the harshest conditions and in use around the world, Northrop Grumman's infrared countermeasure systems have been protecting warfighters for more than 50 years," said Carl Smith, vice president, infrared countermeasures, Northrop Grumman.
     
Northrop Grumman announced yesterday, March 25, it has been selected by the Royal Canadian Air Force to provide infrared missile protection on its fleet of CH-147F Chinook transport helicopters. "Battle-tested in the harshest conditions and in use around the world, Northrop Grumman's infrared countermeasure systems have been protecting warfighters for more than 50 years," said Carl Smith, vice president, infrared countermeasures, Northrop Grumman.
Royal Canadian Air Force's CH-147F Chinook transport helicopter
     
"This mature system will give the Royal Canadian Air Force the ability to provide advanced protection against growing threats," added Carl Smith.

As part of the advanced aircraft survivability equipment suite, the latest generation directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system protects the Chinook and its crew by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat and activating a high-intensity, laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

Northrop Grumman's various infrared countermeasure systems are now installed or scheduled for installation on more than 1,000 military aircraft around the world to protect 55 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The mature and reliable technology developed by Northrop Grumman and its teammate Selex ES has been incorporated in more than 3,250 pointer/trackers that are now in full-rate production to protect these aircraft, supporting more than 1 million hours of theatre operation.

The Royal Canadian Air Force has ordered 15 CH-147F Chinooks transport helicopters, with deliveries underway.