The U.S. Department of State has announced the approval of a possible Foreign Military Sale of Common Infrared Countermeasure systems and related equipment to the Netherlands, with an estimated cost of $294 million…
The Netherlands has requested to purchase 16 OT-228/U Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) systems and 38 AN/APR-39E(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers.
Northrop Grumman will serve as the principal contractor. No known offset agreement has been proposed in connection with the sale.
Developed by Northrop Grumman, the OT-228/U CIRCM is a laser-based countermeasure system designed to protect helicopters and other aircraft against infrared-guided missile threats.
The system is intended to disrupt a missile’s tracking by using laser energy to interfere with its infrared seeker.
CIRCM consists of a Pointer/Tracker unit that detects and tracks threats, a laser unit, and a system processor unit.
The AN/APR-39E(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), also developed by Northrop Grumman, is a digital radar warning system designed to detect and classify radar emissions targeting aircraft and alert aircrews to potential threats.
The system passively detects radar threats around the aircraft and provides aircrews with information about their direction and characteristics…