Australia requests anti-missile kit for transport aircraft via FMS
Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at Honiara international airport, Solomon Islands, in February 2022. (Photo: RAAF/Cpl Jarrod McAneney)
The US Department of State has approved a potential $122 million FMS deal for Northrop Grumman and Boeing to sell Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) component systems and related equipment to Australia.
The Australian government is requesting the anti-missile laser countermeasures equipment to support an ongoing upgrade of large transport aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
These RAAF platforms include C-17A Globemaster III, KC-30A, and C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, the State Department noted in a 22 February announcement.
If approved by Congress, the FMS package will include 27 system processor replacements for the AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM system and 30 Guardian laser turret assemblies, plus advanced threat warning sensors, ancillary equipment and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services.
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