Leonardo DRS Secures $120 Million Contract for Advanced Aircraft Protection Systems
Today, Leonardo DRS, Inc. proudly announced that it has been awarded a significant contract from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. This initiative focuses on providing engineering design and testing hardware for the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) system, which is essential for advanced aircraft protection. The value of this mixed cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract is set at $120 million.
This new contract follows the successful Joint Urgent Operational Needs program, during which the DAIRCM system was successfully deployed across U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy platforms. The Engineering and Manufacturing Development program will enhance, integrate, and test new capabilities, ensuring that the systems remain effective against evolving and future threats.
Under this newly awarded follow-on contract, Leonardo DRS will undertake non-recurring engineering tasks aimed at designing, developing, integrating, and testing both engineering development models and production representative models of weapons replaceable assemblies for government testing. The cutting-edge system features an open and scalable architecture, making it adaptable for various type/model/series aircraft. Its compact design, marked by low size, weight, and power consumption, supports a wide range of rotary and tilt-wing aircraft, including those utilized in emerging future vertical lift programs.
“Leonardo DRS is dedicated to enhancing aircraft protection across the fleet with our state-of-the-art systems,” expressed John Baylouny, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Leonardo DRS. “Our continued robust partnership with the customer has led to the development of technologies that offer enhanced capabilities, ensuring combat survivability for flight crews while enabling them to execute diverse mission profiles for years ahead.”
The AN/AAQ-45 DAIRCM represents the leading edge of aircraft defensive protection technology, engineered by Leonardo DRS through its specialized units: Airborne & Intelligence Systems, Daylight Solutions, and Electro-Optical & Infrared Systems. As anti-aircraft threats evolve globally, frontline helicopters demand efficient yet robust systems for effective defense.
Work associated with this contract will take place at various Leonardo DRS facilities located in Dallas, San Diego, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Melbourne, Florida, with project completion expected in 2024.
