BAE Systems To Upgrade Laser For U.S. Army Helicopters

Nashua, NH — 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 defense 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. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $25 billion.

SOURCE: BAE Systems