BAE Systems' Boldstroke selected for U.S. Army common infrared countermeasure soultion

NASHUA, N.H., Feb. 3, 2012. BAE Systems has been selected by the U.S. Army as one of two contractors to develop the next generation Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) solution – a directed infrared countermeasure system for Army, Navy, and Marine rotary-wing aircraft. The 21-month technology demonstration award is valued at $38 million.

The Boldstroke system is an infrared laser countermeasure designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided missiles and other evolving infrared guided threats. It is compatible with BAE Systems’ Common Missile Warning System, already deployed on parts of the Army’s rotary-wing fleet.

The Boldstroke system uses a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) and non-proprietary interfaces that can support interchangeability and technology insertion, providing flexibility.

Boldstroke systems will leave BAE Systems’ facility in New Hampshire ready for operational testing on the aircraft.

BAE Systems has delivered more than 10,000 IRCM systems for inclusion on every Army platform.

Last year, BAE Systems opened the Worrell/Weeks Aircrew Protection Center, a $20 million facility for testing and evaluating equipment used for defending helicopters and other aircraft against infrared-guided missiles and hostile fire. This new facility is part of a three-year, $70 million investment in developing manufacturing and systems engineering facilities for integrated aircraft survivability equipment.