The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems a $4.84 billion contract for full-rate production of the Common Infrared Countermeasure system, a laser-based self-protection suite for military aircraft. The award covers helicopter platforms including the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk, and runs through September 2035.
The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract was placed through Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. One bid was solicited and one received. Work locations and funding will be set by each order under the long-term agreement.
CIRCM is designed to help aircraft defeat heat-seeking missiles by disrupting their guidance with a directed infrared laser. Northrop Grumman previously secured a $959 million CIRCM production contract in 2021 and has since delivered more than 750 systems, according to the reporting.
The new order extends production for an active Army countermeasure programme that is already in service on key rotary-wing fleets. It also adds to Northrop Grumman’s defence workload in a segment focused on helicopter survivability against infrared missile threats.