Elbit Systems’ DIRCM Systems Successfully Demonstrated on Airbus C295

Elbit Systems’ MUSIC family of Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems, integrated with the advanced Passive Airborne Warning System (PAWS) IR based missile warning system, have been successfully demonstrated on an Airbus C295 aircraft.

The demonstration took place last month, during a flight test at the NAFAG ACG3 SG/2 EMBOW 15 Trials, at the Bundeswehr WTD91 test site in Meppen, Germany.

During the tests, conducted by a multi-national NATO team, a C295 aircraft with an operationally installed Elbit EW self-protection suite, consisting of the DIRCM system and the PAWS, successfully demonstrated the capability to detect, acquire, track and jam the trial test equipment on the ground, under extreme conditions.

The initial assessment of the results highlighted that the system has the capability to successfully jam MANPADS (infra-red, ground to air heat seeking Man-Portable Missiles) from the first, second and third generation, using generic NATO jam codes.

The demonstration was a joint project of Elbit Systems and Airbus Defence & Space (Spain). It was widely supported by the Israeli MOD, the Spanish Air Force and NAFAG ACG3 SG/2 (NATO Air Forces Armaments Group, Air Capability Group 3, Sub Group 2), which is the NATO group responsible for the development and validation of air platform protection solutions.

Elbit Systems’ MUSIC family of DIRCM systems provides protection for aircraft from MANPADS. These systems integrate an advanced fiber laser technology together with a high rate thermal tracking camera and a small, highly dynamic mirror turret to provide effective, reliable and affordable protection to all types of aircraft and under all operational conditions.

The PAWS family of combat proven missile warning systems uses IR to rapidly detect the most advanced threats in all flight conditions. The PAWS family is in use and under contract with more than 10 customers worldwide, in a large variety of platforms, including jet fighters, and other fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

The MUSIC family of DIRCM systems have been extensively and successfully tested by various countries and are in full scale production for numerous customers around the world, including Germany, Italy, Brazil Israel and others. They are operational on military, VIP and commercial helicopters and other fixed-wing aircraft.

Elbit Systems is currently under contract to supply more than 110 DIRCM systems to over ten customers, for installation on 20 different fixed and rotary-wing platform types.