REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL – On Aug 28, 2015, the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal awarded a $35,372,762 cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive, and firm-fixed-price hybrid contract of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation for U.S. Army Project Manager for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (PM ASE).

CIRCM is a Special Interest, ACAT 1D program that will serve as the next generation to the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures program. The CIRCM acquisition will provide all rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, and small fixed wing aircraft across the Department of Defense, with the future of infrared countermeasure systems. CIRCM consists of a laser-based countermeasure which will be fully integrated with an Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) suite that includes passive missile warning, an improved countermeasures dispenser, and advanced expendables. CIRCM will be a light-weight, low cost, highly reliable, laser-based countermeasure system designed to work in conjunction with missile warning systems across the Services.

The EMD/LRIP contract provides for 71 systems if all options are exercised in support of Army and Navy requirements with a total contract value of $140,219,843.

“My number one priority as a project manager is to protect our Soldiers lives — in this case, aviators and their passengers — against the current threats out there,” said Col. Jong H. Lee, Project Manager for ASE. “The Common Infrared Countermeasures program is going to do that. It will increase protection of our service members against ever-evolving threats.”

“This contract award for CIRCM is the result of a strong team effort. We are excited about moving the program forward, integrating this system on aviation platforms, and ultimately increasing Soldier survivability,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Chaney, Product Manager ASE Countermeasures.