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C-17, C-130 will get laser-based jammer

08/26/02 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- Experts from the large aircraft infrared countermeasures program here got the green light Aug. 22 to begin low-rate initial production of the system. They hope to deliver the first laser-protected transport to Air Mobility Command in early 2004.

C-130 HerculesThe production decision, made after extensive laser and live-fire tests conducted earlier this year, gives Aeronautical Systems Center officials permission to buy the first four LAIRCM production ship sets, with an additional nine systems scheduled for purchase in 2003. AMC officials have asked the special program office experts to equip enough transports to support one small-scale contingency, a total of 79 aircraft.

The countermeasures system will be installed on slower-moving cargo aircraft to autonomously detect, track and jam infrared threat missiles targeting them. Its delivery will fill "an urgent and compelling need," said Lt. Gen. John Baker, AMC vice commander.

The LAIRCM is a full 15 months ahead of schedule and Baker attributed the program's success to innovative acquisition practices within Air Force Materiel Command.

"The LAIRCM team is a model for AFMC's new enterprise leadership concept," Baker said of the effort. "Using innovative cost and schedule incentives, we are confident that the LAIRCM program for the first 20 C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircraft can be accelerated up to 15 months earlier."

System program office experts used what the general called "cross-cutting technology and evolutionary acquisition strategy" to provide early fielding of the system.

For example, much of the technology involved in the system, with the exception of the laser jammer, are nondevelopmental items, according to LAIRCM program office experts. These items have been previously tested and are in production as part of the U.S. Special Operations Command C-130 directed IR countermeasures program.

"We leveraged our system off (the program) and added the laser to protect larger aircraft and provide growth for more capable emerging missile threats," said Col. Michael Cappelano, LAIRCM program manager here. "This saves the Air Force approximately $75 million and helped put the LAIRCM program several months ahead of schedule."

According to a 1999 U. S. Transportation Command report to Congress, the vulnerability of its large, slow-flying aircraft to the increasing shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile capability is their No. 1 force protection concern. Consequently, high on the priority list was fielding of a large aircraft infrared countermeasures system that can counter this threat. LAIRCM is the answer to that concern, said officials.

LAIRCM is an active countermeasure that defeats the threat missile guidance system by directing a high-intensity modulated laser beam into the missile seeker, said Cappelano. The LAIRCM system also automatically counters advanced IR missile systems with no action required by the crew. The pilot will simply be informed that a threat missile was detected and jammed. (Courtesy of AFMC News Service)