Leonardo’s Cutting-Edge Defense System Selected for Government’s New Elite Airbus Fleet

Leonardo’s aircraft defense mechanism has been selected to safeguard an Airbus A330 designated for VIP transport by a governmental client. The setup will be integrated by Jet Aviation during the VIP customization of the aircraft at its MRO and finishing facility.

The integration of Miysis DIRCM and MAIR facilitates the identification, tracking, and neutralization of multiple incoming missile threats concurrently. This grants an aircraft enhanced operational freedom and, with Miysis DIRCM achieving a 100% success rate against all targets in live tests, the assurance that it can protect against both modern and vintage infrared missiles.

In contrast to other aerial defense systems, Miysis DIRCM requires no maintenance once installed, thus offering minimal lifecycle costs. Additionally, there are no ITAR limitations on the defense system, affording clients a higher degree of autonomy in how they choose to utilize their system.
Infrared missiles, such as Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), represent a substantial risk to aviation, particularly when operating within or near conflict zones. Miysis DIRCM is relied upon to secure a diverse array of its clients’ most prized assets, including those managed by the Royal Air Force and other NATO and Middle Eastern countries.

MAIR acts as a ‘distributed aperture’ threat alert system, synthesizing information from infrared cameras positioned around the aircraft to concurrently detect and trace incoming missiles by their heat signatures, before relaying them to Miysis DIRCM. Its powerful laser is directed onto the missile’s seeker head, blinding it so that the missile is unable to pursue the protected aircraft.

Compatible across all varieties of aircraft, Leonardo’s platform protection technology can be installed on helicopters, wide-body jets, and everything in between. It is compact, lightweight, and its subtle installation does not impede aircraft performance or existing systems. Utilizing a unified platform protection system also provides advantages such as standardized training for operators and technicians, as well as improved access to spare parts.