Military

BAE Systems to Upgrade Laser for U.S. Army Helicopters

18 Jun 2007 | Ref. 181/2007

Nashua, New Hampshire, United States. — BAE Systems has received two U.S. Army contracts totaling $54 million to provide a multi-band laser technology upgrade for the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) program.

The multi-band laser (MBL) replaces an existing infrared jam laser and flash lamp subsystem to protect helicopters by defeating infrared-seeking missiles.

BAE Systems will deliver four flight-worthy multi-band lasers to support ATIRCM operational test and evaluation. Concurrently, the company will deliver 12 laser units to support Army testing and initial fielding of ATIRCM/CMWS.

“The upgrade provides a significant reliability improvement and lifecycle cost reduction for the ATIRCM/CMWS program, and it improves system performance,” said Chris Rossi, BAE Systems’ MBL program manager in Nashua, New Hampshire.

ATIRCM/CMWS is a multi-band, laser-based countermeasures system that protects aircraft against widely deployed heat-seeking missiles. The combined ATIRCM/CMWS suite evaluates the entire threat environment and selects the appropriate response to counter specific missile threats using an array of countermeasures.

About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.

For more information, please contact:
John Neilson, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384795 Mob: + 44 (0)7802 337704
john.neilson@baesystems.com

Susan Lenover, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703-907-8259 Mobile: +1 703-850-1621
susan.lenover@baesystems.com