LAIRCM for KC-135 achieves Milestone C
Northrop Grumman’s Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) pod for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft has achieved Milestone C, the company announced on 17 April.
The milestone, awarded by the US Department of Defense Milestone Decision Authority, marks the completion of the pod's development and testing phase and the beginning of the production and deployment phase.
To achieve Milestone C, Northrop Grumman worked closely with the KC-135 Program Office, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command to thoroughly test LAIRCM for KC-135 in the laboratory and the field.
The Generation 3 podded LAIRCM system, previously known as Guardian, is an infrared countermeasure that detects, tracks and jams incoming missiles. It incorporates advanced missile warning sensors, a compact laser pointer/tracker and a processor in a single pod that can be readily transferred between aircraft to meet mission requirements.
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