Miysis moves into the Middle East
Miysis DIRCM system. (Photo: Leonardo)
Leonardo provides DIRCM system for Global 7500 aircraft.
Leonardo on 29 June announced a contract to provide its Miysis Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) missile protection system for an unnamed Middle Eastern government’s new VVIP transport aircraft.
Miysis will be installed on a Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft (the first of its type to be selected by a government customer). The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2022.
The DIRCM system will provide ‘complete spherical protection for the aircraft and, uniquely for a system of its size, can output more than enough laser energy to protect the Global 7500 aircraft from even the most modern infrared-guided (heat-seeking) missile threats’, Leonardo noted.
The latest contract follows orders for Miysis DIRCM from the UK (for the Shadow R1 ISTAR aircraft), Canada (for the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft) and three other NATO customers, as well as several non-NATO customers.
Miysis DIRCM works by shining a high-powered laser onto an incoming missile’s targeting system, ‘dazzling’ it and guiding the missile away from the aircraft.
Unlike competing products, Leonardo claimed, Miysis DIRCM can defend against multiple, simultaneous incoming missiles and the latest generation of shoulder-launched IR-guided MANPADS.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, Miysis can be used as a standalone DIRCM or integrated with other onboard self-protection systems.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry]()
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist]()
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
-
![Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?]()
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
