ORLANDO, FL -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Missiles and Fire Control, DRS Technologies and Daylight Solutions announced today that they are partnering to address the U.S. Army`s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Technical Development requirement.

The CIRCM program will provide laser defeat capability to rotary-wing aircraft operating in close terrain flying missions where man portable air defense systems represent a significant threat.

"Lockheed Martin has assembled a solid industry team to architect the next generation in rotary-wing survivability," said Matt Milligan, Platform Survivability Program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Our team offers advanced technology to attack the CIRCM program's critical survivability requirements, while keeping in mind affordability and minimized size, weight and power."

Lockheed Martin's CIRCM solution is a lightweight laser defeat system that incorporates a pointer tracker and commercial off-the-shelf processor and quantum cascade laser. It has been successfully integrated with the existing Common Missile Warning System and is compatible with next-generation missile warning systems.

The system's compact, streamlined design and modular open system architecture make it adaptable to a wide range of rotary-wing platforms and expandable to new threats and missions. CIRCM platforms will include the U.S. Army AH-64, UH-60 and CH-47 rotary-wing aircraft.

DRS Technologies' Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition business group is an experienced provider of advanced electro-optic infrared technology and is leveraging previous expertise with Distributed IRCM towards this team's CIRCM solution.

Daylight Solutions has developed and demonstrated quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology for Defense and Security applications. Daylight has integrated its QCL technology into their JammIR product line, resulting in lightweight, military-hardened multi-wavelength laser systems that have performed successfully in distributed infrared countermeasure applications.

In order to deliver an affordable, multi-service solution for IRCM, Lockheed Martin is leveraging more than 30 years of experience in infrared missile warning system development and production, as well as experience in laser pointer/tracker technology. On programs such as Arrowhead, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod and the F-35 Electro-Optical Targeting System, Lockheed Martin focuses on delivering reliable, affordable solutions to meet Warfighters' needs.

Lockheed Martin
16.11.2010