Large Aircraft IR Countermeasures (LAIRCM)

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1,200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command LAIRCM Operational Requirements Document (ORD) 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. The Active Defense Sensor (ADS) will provide sensing and cueing of threats, which is anticipated to employ a version of a long-range Radio Frequency (RF) defense sensor to provide long range sensing and cueing of threats. ADS will enhance existing High Value Airborne Asset survivability to detect and employ new tactics against an expanded category of threats. Anticipated efforts include, but are not limited to hardware and software upgrade, development, and integration; prototyping; testing of the sensor as it integrates into a modular system of systems approach to maintain defensive capability against new and emerging threats. In FY 2027, the Hostile Fire Indication/Laser Warning (HFI/LW) efforts were transferred from Project 674942, LAIRCM to Project 67A038, Active Defense Sensor to continue the development of capabilities for the LAIRCM system. ADS continues development of the Multi Threat Mid-Wave (MW) Infrared (IR) Sensor, a new MWS for the LAIRCM system. The Multi-Threat MW IR sensor will increase the effectiveness of the LAIRCM system by providing aircrews with enhanced detection capabilities against small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft fire, and laser-guided munitions. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1,200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command Operational Requirements Document (ORD) LAIRCM ORD 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. The baseline development program is complete. Follow-on efforts continue Evolving Threat Analysis in order to address and counter new and emerging threats, as well as ensure integration onto new aircraft types and existing LAIRCM platforms. Additional efforts include design changes to improve reliability, maintainability, & availability and system improvements with form, fit, function and interface compliant replacements. LAIRCM upgrades include but are not limited to hardware and software upgrades, as well as testing of the LAIRCM system to maintain defensive capability against new and emerging threats. Current and future efforts include AFRL Threat Analysis; Modeling, Simulation and Test; Virtual System Integration Lab (SIL) Development; and Studies and Analysis. AFRL Threat Analysis encompasses the activities to support threat exploitation analysis of a variety of threats (both known and emerging) against the current LAIRCM jam code with the intent of determining if jam code updates are required. Typical threat analysis activities include: threat seeker characterization; model development for advanced threat IR seekers; development and testing of new infrared countermeasures concepts, techniques, and hardware; new technology assessment for potential incorporation into the LAIRCM system, and the evaluation/ exploitation of new threats and threat characteristics relative to infrared countermeasures (IRCM).

Latent Capability Development (LCD) develops the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system's ability to detect and defeat a distinct new category of lethal threats and includes updates to the latest modeling and simulation threat models. It provides all support required to update the LAIRCM system hardware, firmware, and software. Development begins at the AFRL Dynamic Infrared Missile Evaluation (DIME) Lab with support testing of code at the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF) before finally transitioning to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) for inclusion into the LAIRCM software baseline. The LAIRCM system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is installed on 54 aircraft variants and over 1200 aircraft. In FY 2027, LCD efforts transferred to PE 0401334F, Large Aircraft Survivability Systems (LASS), Project 67A038, Advanced Sensors, as the Advanced Capability Development (ACD) major thrust. Program support cost efforts consist of, but are not limited to, contract services and government costs. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.