Northrop Grumman Awarded Production Contract for CIRCM System

The Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system’s ability to track and rapidly defeat infrared-guided threats has been validated through rigorous testing in laboratory, flight, and live-fire test environments By DA Staff / 11 May 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for full-rate production of the CIRCM (Common Infrared Countermeasure) system. The award follows the Army’s approval for the system to enter full-rate production based on design maturity and demonstrated production capability.

The lightweight, laser-based countermeasure system uses advanced Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology and will be used to protect US Army rotary-wing and medium fixed-wing aircraft against infrared-guided missiles, shoulder-fired, vehicle-launched, and other missiles threats.

“CIRCM’s cutting-edge capability has been proven against the most advanced threats and the modular open systems approach brings flexibility for the future,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability at Northrop Grumman. “Northrop Grumman and our partners have proven the mature production capacity to deliver and support the U.S. Army’s mission with this life-saving technology today, and for years to come.”

With a foundation of Lean-Agile software development, the system is built on an open architecture that works with existing hardware, simplifies upgrades, and keeps lifecycle costs low. CIRCM also meets demanding size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements, to offer industry leading capability for a variety of SWaP restrictive platforms for the U.S. and its allies.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

High-Performance Propeller Solutions for Defense & Government UAV Applications

Defense Advancement showcases Flyber's robust propeller solutions for military and government unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Jun 23, 2025
Honeywell’s F-35 PTMS Delivers Proven Performance with Scalable Upgrades & Global Support

Honeywell’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) supports F-35 fleets with integrated power and cooling, a scalable 80kW upgrade path, and global sustainment and repair infrastructure

Jun 23, 2025
Enhancing Law Enforcement with BVLOS Drones & Elsight’s Secure Connectivity

Discover how Elsight’s BVLOS connectivity is boosting law enforcement operations by improving response times, enhancing safety, and supporting critical drone missions

Jun 23, 2025
Strategic Partnership Advances AI-Enabled Aerial Reconnaissance

Airbus and Quantum Systems are partnering to develop open, AI-enabled aerial reconnaissance solutions that enhance European defense capabilities

Jun 23, 2025
Aurora Supports University Research on Autonomy, Battery Systems & UAM Design

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, supports NASA-backed university projects with tools, expertise, and testing to advance autonomy, battery systems, and urban air mobility (UAM) design

Jun 20, 2025
ROVs Deployed to Support Underwater Demining Across Ukraine

Deep Trekker has delivered sixteen REVOLUTION ROVs to Ukraine’s emergency services, supporting underwater demining operations through a UNDP-led initiative

Jun 20, 2025

Featured Content

Q&A: Periphery’s Approach to Cybersecurity & CRA Readiness

This Q&A explores how Periphery’s AI-powered platform secures embedded devices with real-time threat detection, supporting defence applications and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance

Jun 18, 2025
Trillium Launches Advanced Gimbal for Medium & Long Range Reconnaissance

Trillium Engineering’s new HD45 LV R delivers advanced imaging performance in an ultra-light gimbal, optimized for long range and medium range ISR missions

Jun 11, 2025
Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight Tactical-Grade IMU

Honeywell has launched the HG3900 IMU, a compact tactical-grade unit with reduced size and power consumption while maintaining near-navigation-grade performance levels

Jun 10, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.