The Common Infrared Countermeasure system achieves Milestone C, signifying maturity and production readiness

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 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.”