Elbit Systems [ESLT] was awarded two contracts for its Multi Spectral Infrared Countermeasures (MUSIC) family of directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) airborne multi-spectral self-protection systems, the company said on August 3.
Although the company did not name the contract value or specific client countries, one is a follow-on contract from an Asian country, acting to supply the mini MUSIC systems for the customer’s Black Hawk helicopters. This is the second award from the customer in 2015.
The second contract was a new order from a European NATO member state, calling for the supply of the C-MUSIC systems. The contracts will be performed in 2015 and are in amounts not material to Elbit, the company said in a statement.
“While the Asian customer’s decision to acquire more DIRCM systems for its Black Hawk helicopters attests to the customer’s satisfaction with the previous order, the new contract with the European NATO member country extends the number of platforms that will be equipped with our systems,” Elad Aharonson, general manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR division, said in a statement. “We see a growing global demand for our DIRCM systems, which we believe address a strategic need for our customers.”
The MUSIC DIRCM system protects aircraft from heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles. The C-MUSIC system is a pod-mounted version specifically designed to protect large jet aircraft. It currently protects the Israeli commercial air fleet.
The MUSIC family of DIRCM systems is under contract for several international customers. Aircraft that use the system include the Italian Air Force’s C-130J, the KC-390 for Embraer [ERJ] and the Brazilian Air Force, Black Hawk helicopters for Asian customers, and VIP helicopters.