CIRCM (Common Infrared Countermeasures) - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Awarded Full-Rate Production Contract for Common Infrared Countermeasure Systems

Mon, 10 May 2021 16:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – May 10, 2021 – The U.S. Army recently awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at $959.1 million for full-rate production of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system.

The CIRCM system provides U.S. Army aircraft unprecedented protection from current and emerging missile threats.

The award follows the U.S. Army’s approval for the Northrop Grumman CIRCM system to enter full-rate production based on design maturity and demonstrated production capability.

CIRCM protects against shoulder-fired and vehicle-launched anti-aircraft missiles that home in on the heat signature of an aircraft. The system’s ability to track and rapidly defeat infrared-guided threats has been validated over thousands of hours of rigorous testing in laboratory, flight, and live-fire test environments.

“CIRCM’s cutting-edge capability has been proven against the most advanced threats and the modular open systems approach brings flexibility for the future,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “Northrop Grumman and our partners have proven the mature production capacity to deliver and support the U.S. Army’s mission with this life-saving technology today, and for years to come.”

With a foundation of Lean-Agile software development, the system is built on an open architecture that works with existing hardware, simplifies upgrades, and keeps lifecycle costs low. CIRCM also meets demanding size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements, to offer industry leading capability for a variety of SWaP restrictive platforms for the U.S. and its allies.

Northrop Grumman’s infrared countermeasure systems have been installed on more than 1,500 aircraft, representing more than 80 different aircraft types, including large and small fixed-wing, rotary wing and tilt-rotor platforms.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 97,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasures System Ready for Full-Rate Production

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – March 15, 2021 – The U.S. Army has declared the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system operationally suitable, effective and ready for full-rate production following a successful six-month initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) activity.

CIRCM protects U.S. Army aircraft from emerging missile threats.

“Through our partnership with the U.S. Army and our suppliers, we have already delivered over 100 production systems,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “The successful completion of IOT&E confirms CIRCM’s readiness for full-rate production.”

CIRCM’s dual-jammer configuration helps to protect aircrews while providing the highest level of aircraft survivability. The CIRCM system provides protection against a wide range of infrared-guided anti-aircraft missile threats, including shoulder-fired and vehicle-launched.

During the rigorous testing, the system was flown through a multitude of scenarios and environments to assess CIRCM’s ability to detect, engage and defeat threats. The system rapidly defeated all threats during IOT&E, proving it is ready to support the complex missions of the U.S. Army.

In addition to baseline performance, the system’s next-generation open architecture design will enable rapid and timely capability enhancements to keep pace with changing mission needs.

Northrop Grumman also leverages digital engineering technologies and lean-Agile methodologies to deliver continued system improvement throughout CIRCM’s lifecycle to counter new and evolving threats.

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Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasure System Completes Free Flight Missile Testing

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Jan. 14, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system for the U.S. Army has successfully completed free flight missile testing at White Sands Missile Range.

“CIRCM has undergone thousands of hours of testing to verify its performance in a range of realistic combat scenarios,” said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman. “During the recent testing at White Sands Missile Range, our system once again demonstrated superior capability in countering infrared threats. We look forward to providing the U.S. Army with this unparalleled protection.”

As part of this test, the CIRCM system was presented with engagements in both single and multiple shot scenarios while mounted to an aircraft that hangs from an aerial cable. The successful completion of this testing is a significant milestone on the path to full rate production, indicating that CIRCM is ready to help protect the U.S. Army aircraft from infrared threats.

CIRCM is a lightweight countermeasure system that uses laser energy to defend rotary wing, tilt rotor and small fixed wing aircraft against infrared threats. Its modular, open systems architecture allows it to be integrated with systems and sensors to address current and emerging threats.

For more information on CIRCM, please visit https://www.northropgrumman.com/air/circm-common-infrared-countermeasures/

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 85,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Making the Army Stronger: Northrop Grumman Showcases Multi-Mission Solutions at AUSA

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Oct. 10, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will showcase a full range of solutions for U.S. Army missions at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 14-16, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The Northrop Grumman exhibit (booth #6328) will feature advanced, end-to-end capabilities in avionics, integrated air and missile defense, cyber security, training, multifunction mission systems, precision weapons and ammunition.

“As a trusted, longtime supplier of equipment and services to the U.S. Army, Northrop Grumman is committed to delivering transformational capabilities in support of the service’s modernization plans,” said Bo Dyess, vice president, Army programs, Northrop Grumman. “We’re making the Army stronger with our extensive expertise and understanding of the multi-domain battle. Our solutions affordably and rapidly provide our customers with the decisive advantage needed for mission success.”

The company supports a number of critical programs for the U.S. Army, including the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS); Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) and Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM).

Northrop Grumman will also highlight a mixed reality training simulation, the company’s Bushmaster® family of Chain Guns® to include the XM913 50mm Chain Gun for the Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV), advanced medium and large caliber ammunition types and precision guidance capabilities for artillery system, and digital helicopter cockpit and integrated avionics solutions derived from the UH-60V Black Hawk program.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasure Systems Enters Operational Testing

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 18:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Aug. 28, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) systems for the U.S. Army has entered Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E).

Northrop Grumman’s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system will help protect U.S. Army aircraft from current and emerging infrared threats. The system, in low rate initial production, has begun Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.

CIRCM is a lightweight countermeasure system that uses laser energy to defend aircraft against infrared threats. Its modular, open systems architecture allows it to be integrated with systems and sensors to address current and emerging threats.

“Exercising our production systems in operational testing will further validate CIRCM’s advanced performance, and is a key enabler on the path to full-rate production and wide deployment of this life-saving system to our warfighters,” said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman’s infrared countermeasures systems have been installed on more than 1,500 aircraft, representing more than 80 different aircraft types, including large and small fixed-wing, rotary wing and tilt-rotor platforms.

For more information on CIRCM, please visit https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/CIRCM/

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Northrop Grumman Receives Common Infrared Countermeasures Contract with $482 Million Ceiling

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 16:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Aug. 1, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a contract award with a potential value of $482 million from the U.S. Army for Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) systems and support services. The award expands CIRCM production and strengthens the logistics support infrastructure necessary to support the program as it moves toward full rate production. The initial task order is for $82.8 million.

“This award will allow the Army to extend the proven protection of CIRCM to additional aircraft and missions, providing advanced aircraft survivability where it is needed most,” said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman.

CIRCM is a lightweight system that uses laser energy to defend aircraft against infrared threats. Its modular, open systems architecture allows it to be integrated with systems and sensors to address current and emerging threats.

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US Army Common Infrared Countermeasure System Ready for Production

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Sept. 24, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) teamed with the U.S. Army to develop the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system, and after undergoing a rigorous testing process to ensure system readiness for the demands of combat operations, the CIRCM system has achieved Milestone C. This critical milestone, awarded by the Department of Defense Milestone Decision Authority, marks the end of the development and testing phase and enables the beginning of production and deployment.

CIRCM is designed to protect aircraft from infrared guided missiles. The system has now received Milestone C approval from the Department of Defense, indicating readiness for production and fielding. Northrop Grumman teamed with the U.S. Army to develop the CIRCM system.

CIRCM is a lightweight system that uses laser energy to defend aircraft against advanced infrared missiles. It has a modular open systems architecture designed to evolve to defeat emerging infrared threats.

To achieve Milestone C, Northrop Grumman has worked closely with the Army to thoroughly test CIRCM. The system has undergone thousands of hours of laboratory, flight and free flight missile testing to verify its performance in a range of realistic combat scenarios. Throughout the process, CIRCM demonstrated its ability to protect aircrews by countering threats.

“With the achievement of Milestone C, we have collectively taken an important step toward getting this critical, life-saving technology to the warfighter,” said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman. “The CIRCM capability is mature, reliable and has proven to be mission-effective.”

Northrop Grumman's infrared countermeasures systems have been installed on more than 1,500 aircraft, representing more than 80 different aircraft types, including large and small fixed-wing, rotary wing and tilt-rotor platforms. For more information on CIRCM, please visit https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/CIRCM/

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Northrop Grumman Delivers First CIRCM Systems to US Army

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 01:35:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Oct. 4, 2016 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) delivered the first Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) missile defense systems to the U.S. Army earlier this year.

Members of the Northrop Grumman CIRCM team present the first CIRCM shipset to Major General Kirk Vollmecke, program executive officer, PEO IEW&S, and Colonel Jong Lee, project manager, PM ASE on June 30, 2016. Pictured with the first CIRCM shipset are (left to right): Juliette Pirpiris, operations; Greg Hatch, engineering; Dawn Miller, manager; Jacob Dehnel, engineering; MG Vollmecke; COL Lee; Jeff Palombo, sector vice president business development; and Carl Smith, vice president mission solutions, land and avionics C4ISR division. (Photo by JR Trevino)

The systems were delivered under an engineering and manufacturing development contract awarded in 2015 to produce the next generation of aircraft survivability equipment to defend against man-portable air-defense systems and other heat-seeking munitions. Prior to delivery, the system went through rigorous software qualification testing that demonstrated key performance features of the hardware and extensive acceptance testing that validated the compliance of the system.

“This delivery continues the momentum in Northrop Grumman’s 50-year history of providing our customers with highly reliable, advanced infrared countermeasure systems,” said Carl Smith, vice president, mission solutions, land and avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman. “We, along with our partners Daylight Solutions and Leonardo, remain committed to the Army’s schedule and to getting this technology into the hands of our warfighters as quickly as possible.”

The CIRCM system completes Northrop Grumman’s full suite of electronic warfare protection systems, to include advanced missile warning, hostile fire indication, radar warning, radio frequency jamming, laser warning, IRCM jamming capabilities, and cockpit digitization. The modular open systems architecture approach to this family of systems provides the ability to seamlessly integrate these technologies together, as well as quickly upgrade the system to stay ahead of the evolving threat.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

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