The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Aircraft Prototyping Systems Division has awarded BAE Systems a leading role on a $26.7 million contract to install, integrate, and test the Department of the Navy (DoN) Large Aircraft Infra-red Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system on the KC-130J aerial transport and refuelling aircraft.

The DoN LAIRCM advanced missile warning system improves aircraft capability and survivability by countering advanced infra-red missile system threats.

Pete Trainer, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Air Force Solutions, said: “We understand how vital the KC-130J is to the US Navy and US Marine Corps and the enhanced capability the DoN LAIRCM system brings to the fight.

With more than 40 years' of experience managing complex aircraft modernisation and sustainment programmes, we are excited that NAWCAD has entrusted us to integrate this system onto their aircraft to ensure the safety of the air crews and protect this vital capability.”

The BAE Systems turnkey solution provides programme management, inventory control, engineering support, installation, and system testing of the DoN LAIRCM upgrade. Aircraft maintenance and support activities will also be provided as required.

This is the second task order awarded to BAE Systems under the Prototyping and Limited Production indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract. The DoN LAIRCM installation will be performed on up to 19 KC-130J aircraft over the next five years; the work will take place in Crestview, Florida in partnership with Vertex Aerospace Aircraft Integration & Sustainment (AIS) Division.

Captain Steven Nassau, program manager for Naval Air Systems Command’s PMA-207C, said: “The programme office looks forward to working with BAE Systems on the DoN LAIRCM installations.

“This competitive award will allow the Marine Corps to move from government depot installation to industry without a gap in services. It is a great reflection on the dedication of the KC-130J Mission Systems Team and the contracts office. It also speaks to the flexibility of both the Navy and industry.”

BAE Systems’ intelligence and security sector has extensive experience in advanced aircraft engineering, fabrication, installation, modification, systems integration, and logistics support, and has performed more than 200 separate complex modification programs involving over 2,200 aircraft.

The BAE Systems and Vertex AIS team have installed Directional Infra-red Countermeasures and DoN LAIRCM systems for the US Air Force and foreign military customers under previous contracts.