BAE Gets DoD Approval to Export IR Countermeasures System; Bill Staib Comments

BAE Systems‘ U.S. subsidiary has received the Defense Department‘s approval to export its Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures system to U.S. allies.

The company said Monday the system, which was jointly developed by U.S.-based BAE Systems Inc. and the U.S. Army, works to protect rotary- and fixed-wing military aircraft.

“In today’s environment with the proliferation of surface-to-air missiles, a proven aircraft survivability system to counter advanced threats meets an immediate need,” said Bill Staib, director of threat management solutions at BAE’s U.S. arm.

ATIRCM works to detect and locate enemy missiles via BAE’s Common Missile Warning System and is built to emit a laser beam in order to disrupt the missile’s infrared guidance system, the company said.

BAE noted that the Army has been using ATIRCM on helicopters deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since 2009.