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Air Warfare
Two firms provide USAF with countermeasure flares
The USAF awarded two countermeasures contracts worth a total of $500 million. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ian Kinkead)
MJU-75/B magnesium teflon viton flares to equip US helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Armtec Countermeasures and Kilgore Flares are each working to provide the USAF with countermeasure flares under separate $250 million contracts from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
Both companies will provide MJU-75/B magnesium teflon viton (MTV) flares, which equip rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and F-16 Fighting Falcon to protect against IR missiles.
The DoD expects Armtec and Kilgore to complete work on their contracts by March 2027.
MTV flares have been used for decades as a means of countering IR homing missiles. While the latest generation of SAM and air-to-air missiles feature improved seeker countermeasures against MTV flares, these countermeasures remain relevant as there are still many missile systems using older technology.
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