PARIS – NATO, Airbus and Elbit Systems have successfully executed the integration of the J-MUSIC DIRCM (Direct Infra-Red Countermeasures) self-protection system onboard the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft of NATO Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) the trio of organizations announced at the Paris Air Show.
The three-day long integration flight tests performed at the end of May at the Madrid- Getafe airfield were led by Airbus team, supported by Elbit Systems engineers and monitored by representatives of NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the Organization for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR). During these flight tests the J-Music DIRCM system demonstrated flawless functionality and showed the ability to defeat multiple threat types simulated at the A330 MRTT aircraft while conducting a series of flight maneuvers. The integration flight tests also established that the J-Music DIRCM system could handle simultaneous threat scenarios and overcome head-on, tail-on and side-on threats, from several ranges and at different altitudes.
Elbit Systems’ DIRCM is designed as open architecture integrating the latest laser technology together with a high frame-rate thermal camera and a small, dynamic high-speed sealed-mirror turret thus delivering high performance defense against Infra-Red missiles threat.
The MMF program is a multinational pooling and sharing initiative in which five nations (Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway) are jointly acquiring, managing, operating and supporting a fleet of eight A330 MRTT aircraft from Eindhoven and Cologne. The aircraft, procured by OCCAR from Airbus and outfitted with the Elbit J-Music DIRCM system, are owned by NATO and managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
