Italy orders DIRCM systems for transports, helicopters

SOURCE FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL Elettronica has been awarded a €25.4 million ($33.7 million) contract to supply its ELT/572 directional infrared countermeasures equipment for installation on Italian air force transport aircraft and helicopters.
Under the three-year award, Elettronica will develop, integrate and ground-test a two-turret DIRCM installation for the Alenia Aeronautica C-27J (below), Lockheed Martin C-130J and AgustaWestland AW101.

© Alenia Aeronautica

The deal also includes the delivery of five DIRCM systems, plus activities to integrate Cassidian's in-service MILDS II missile warning system. A later contract will cover flight-testing and certification.
The ELT/572 installation should provide 360° protection against man-portable air-defence systems, even when a missile is launched from above an aircraft.
Based on an industrial co-operation between Elettronica and Elbit Systems' Elop subsidiary, the laser-based DIRCM system underwent live testing qualification in a single-turret configuration in Israel in December.