Northrop Grumman [NOC] and Finmeccanica’s SELEX Galileo said they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly pursue the international directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) market.
Capitalizing on their unique experience and capability in the development and production of laser-based DIRCM systems, the MoU strengthens the existing industry-leading DIRCM strategic alliance and enables the two companies to aggressively target the rest-of-the-world DIRCM marketplace, the companies said while revealing the pact June 22 at the Paris Air Show.
“There are few collaborations in the defense industry that are as successful and long lived as the Northrop Grumman-SELEX Galileo alliance,” said Jeff Palombo, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self Protection Systems Division in a statement. “We have been hugely successful protecting aircraft, and this document will further strengthen our collaboration and allow us to focus on our international customers as we launch a fully exportable DIRCM system.”
For almost 20 years, Northrop Grumman and SELEX Galileo have been the preferred supplier of DIRCM systems to the United States, United Kingdom and close allies. With over 750 DIRCM systems delivered and supported, this unmatched capability and associated experience and expertise will be brought to the international community.
Following in the footsteps of Northrop Grumman-SELEX Galileo architecture, the international DIRCM system will encompass an open framework that permits the integration of various sensors, pointer/trackers and lasers.
“This is a very significant milestone both in the Northrop Grumman-SELEX Galileo relationship and in our approach to the export DIRCM market,” said Alastair Morrison, senior vice president, SELEX Galileo, Radar and Advanced Targeting. “We look forward to working with all international customers and to meeting their aircraft platform protection requirements.”