Large Aircraft IR Countermeasures (LAIRCM)

Mission — Large Aircraft IR Countermeasures (LAIRCM) source

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1,200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command Operational Requirements Document (ORD) LAIRCM ORD 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. The baseline development program is complete. Follow-on efforts continue Evolving Threat Analysis in order to address and counter new and emerging threats, as well as ensure integration onto new aircraft types and existing LAIRCM platforms. Additional efforts include design changes to improve reliability, maintainability, & availability and system improvements with form, fit, function and interface compliant replacements. Current and future efforts include AFRL Threat Analysis; Modeling, Simulation and Test; Virtual System Integration Lab (SIL) Development; and Studies and Analysis. To reestablish deterrence and protect our high-value asset aircraft from enemy threats, the Department of Defense requires an adjustment to the LAIRCM portfolio to pivot and transition LAIRCM into the Large Aircraft Defensive System (LADS) program in FY 2026. The Air Force is adjusting the lines of efforts to be 1) Evolving Threat Analysis (ETA), 2) Long Range Detect, 3) Active Detection, and 4) Advanced Defeat Technologies to help restore and rebuild capability for Survivable High-Value Airborne Assets. Latent Capability Development (LCD) updates the LAIRCM system to defend against unique threats. This funding will provide a programmatic support to update the system, to include hardware, software, and firmware, to enable the system's ability to detect and defeat a distinct category of threats and update to the latest threat models. Development begins at the AFRL Dynamic Infrared Missile Evaluator (DIME) Lab before transitioning to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) for inclusion into the LAIRCM software baseline. The Active Defense Sensor (ADS) will provide sensing and cueing of threats, which is anticipated to employ a version of a long-range Radio Frequency (RF) defense sensor to provide long range sensing and cueing of threats. ADS will enhance existing High Value Airborne Asset survivability to detect and employ new tactics against an expanded category of threats. Anticipated efforts include, but are not limited to: hardware and software upgrade, development, and integration; prototyping; testing of the sensor as it integrates into a modular system of systems approach to maintain defensive capability against new and emerging threats. Program support cost efforts consist of, but are not limited to, contract services and government costs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Active Defense Sensor source

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1,200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command Operational Requirements Document (ORD) LAIRCM ORD 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. The Active Defense Sensor (ADS) will provide sensing and cueing of threats, which is anticipated to employ a version of a long-range Radio Frequency (RF) defense sensor to provide long range sensing and cueing of threats. ADS will enhance existing High Value Airborne Asset survivability to detect and employ new tactics against an expanded category of threats. Anticipated efforts include, but are not limited to hardware and software upgrade, development, and integration; prototyping; testing of the sensor as it integrates into a modular system of systems approach to maintain defensive capability against new and emerging threats. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Latent Capability Development source

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command Operational Requirements Document (ORD) LAIRCM ORD 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. Latent Capability Development (LCD) updates the LAIRCM system to defend against unique threats. This funding will provide a programmatic support to update the system, to include hardware, software, and firmware, to enable the system's ability to detect and defeat a distinct category of threats and update to the latest threat models. Development begins at the AFRL Dynamic Infrared Missile Evaluator (DIME) Lab before transitioning to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) for inclusion into the LAIRCM software baseline. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.elopment

Mission — Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures (LAIRCM) source

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system is an evolutionary acquisition program that provides significantly improved defensive systems capability for DoD aircraft to counter the man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) missile threat. The system is currently installed on 54 aircraft types and over 1,200 aircraft. The current LAIRCM system configuration consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming missiles. The number of sensors and transmitter assemblies per aircraft is determined by the size and signature of the aircraft. The system is fully autonomous following system power-up. LAIRCM requirements are documented in the multi-command Operational Requirements Document (ORD) LAIRCM ORD 314-92, validated on 03 Aug 1998. The baseline development program is complete. Follow-on efforts continue Evolving Threat Analysis in order to address and counter new and emerging threats, as well as ensure integration onto new aircraft types and existing LAIRCM platforms. Additional efforts include design changes to improve reliability, maintainability, & availability and system improvements with form, fit, function and interface compliant replacements. LAIRCM upgrades include but are not limited to hardware and software upgrades, as well as testing of the LAIRCM system to maintain defensive capability against new and emerging threats. Current and future efforts include AFRL Threat Analysis; Modeling, Simulation and Test; Virtual System Integration Lab (SIL) Development; and Studies and Analysis. AFRL Threat Analysis encompasses the activities to support threat exploitation analysis of a variety of threats (both known and emerging) against the current LAIRCM jam code with the intent of determining if jam code updates are required. Typical threat analysis activities include: threat seeker characterization; model development for advanced threat IR seekers; development and testing of new infrared countermeasures concepts, techniques, and hardware; new technology assessment for potential incorporation into the LAIRCM system, and the evaluation/exploitation of new threats and threat characteristics relative to infrared countermeasures (IRCM). In FY26 these efforts will focus on Hostile Fire Indicator/Laser Warning (HFI/LW) Capability and the development of a longer range sensor technology. This new sensor capability will support improved threat detection and tracking as well as implement improvements to our ability to degrade, deceive, disrupt, or destroy incoming threats. Modeling, Simulation, and Test activities verify and validate the information obtained from the threat analysis activities. These activities include evaluation of Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) techniques used in defeating real threat hardware; developing and evaluating jam code; validating and verifying integration of LAIRCM system components to newly developed jam codes, software and/or hardware; evaluating system effectiveness; performing platform integration support tests; hardware and software upgrades required to accredit test facility; and conducting predictive risk reduction tests prior to Live Missile Fire Test (LMFT) or on-aircraft flight testing. Virtual SIL Development includes but not limited to incrementally design, develop, integrate, and test software code and purchase associated infrastructure (i.e., computers, servers, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, etc.) necessary to develop and implement a virtual SIL providing a critical capability for testing the LAIRCM system to ensure continued effectiveness against current and emerging threats. Studies and Analysis include but not limited to logistics, programmatic, and engineering studies and analysis activities to ensure continued system viability and sustainability and compliance with acquisition directives. These activities may include the evaluation of low cost/high payback opportunities to reduce software development/implementation cost, enhance production efficiency, and improve life cycle costs through increased reliability and reduced repair and return cost. System improvements used to support additional studies and analysis needed for continued LAIRCM Improvements. Capability updates consist of hardware/software updates including required validation/verification testing needed to counter new/improved threats to US aircraft and Warfighters while ensuring system performance across all flight envelopes. Program support cost efforts consist of, but are not limited to, contract services and government costs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)