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ROLLING MEADOWS (BNS): The US Navy has awarded an $80 million contract to Northrop Grumman to provide infrared missile warning systems (IRMWS) and processors to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for medium and heavy lift helicopter fleets.

As per the contract, Northrop will deliver over 450 IRMWS and 90 processors to NAVAIR beginning May 2011 and concluding in the second quarter of 2013, the company said.

This hardware, in conjunction with Northrop's Guardian laser transmitter assemblies and control indicator units delivered under the same US Air Force indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, will complete the initial Department of Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (DoN LAIRCM) installation requirements on 156 aircraft to provide infrared threat protection for US Marine Corps CH-53E, CH-46E and CH-53D platforms, the company said in a statement.

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system has been designed to protect aircraft from missile attack. The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat, and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the weapon.

The LAIRCM system has been installed on over 500 military aircraft including approximately 49 different fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms, according to Northrop.