ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Jan. 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract to deliver Next Generation Missile Warning Systems (NexGen MWS) as the latest upgrade to their Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system, which protects aircrews and high value aircraft from shoulder-fired, heat seeking missiles.
Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will deliver NexGen MWS sensors to be integrated into the LAIRCM system. The Next Gen MWS is the first two-color infrared missile warning sensor to be fielded by the Air Force. Northrop Grumman also developed and produces the LAIRCM system.
"The next generation missile warning systems will improve upon LAIRCM's already outstanding capability to detect threat missiles," said Carl Smith, vice president of Infrared Countermeasures programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "Providing cutting-edge two-color IR missile warning technology will allow LAIRCM to detect threat missiles providing even better protection for our aircrews in battle zones around the world."
The only such aircraft protection system currently in production, Northrop Grumman's LAIRCM system is now installed on, and scheduled for installation on several hundred military aircraft to protect over 48 different types of aircraft platforms from infrared missile threats. The system functions automatically by detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat, and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.