ATIRCM Cleared For FMS.

The BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-212(V) Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system has been approved for export by the US Department of Defense (DoD), the company announced on 2 March.

ATIRCM Cleared For FMS.

"We've been working for quite a while to get US government approval to export" ATIRCM, BAE's programme manager for the system Tom Kirkpatrick told on 26 February.

He added that the decision to allow foreign military sales (FMS) of ATIRCM is timely given the proliferation of surface-to-air missiles: "Because anti-aircraft missiles are proliferating, we have already seen tremendous amounts of interest in the system," he said.

ATIRCM combines with BAE Systems' Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) to detect missiles and to communicate their position relative to the aircraft. It then tracks the weapon and emits a high-energy laser beam to 'blind' its infrared seeker.

The US Army began fielding the ATIRCM in 2009 to curtail a spate of helicopter downings in Iraq and Afghanistan. A total of 83 Boeing CH-47 Chinooks received the system before entering those theaters and the system is now on all US Chinooks operating outside the country.

ATIRCM is also compatible with Boeing AH-64 Apaches and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, as well as some commercial aircraft, according to Kirkpatrick. The FMS clearance will allow it to be sold to foreign governments for military and VIP missions.

According to Kirkpatrick, well over 1500 BAE Systems' CMWS are already flying on aircraft worldwide, providing a vast potential target market for ATIRCM sales.