DTN News: U.S. Army Chinook Helicopters Protected From IR Missile Threat

DTN News: U.S. Army Chinook Helicopters Protected From IR Missile Threat Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NASHUA, N.H. - April 16, 2010: The effectiveness of a countermeasure system for the U.S. Army Chinook helicopter to defeat guided missiles was proven in battle, BAE Systems said. BAE said its Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures system has proved its worth in defeating infrared-guided missiles on the battlefield. ATIRCM uses lasers to protect the Chinook from missile attacks. A common missile warning system tells the system to emit a high-energy laser beam to defeat the infrared system on the incoming missile. Jim Crouch, general manager for protection solutions at BAE Systems, said ATIRCM is the best countermeasure system available for combat helicopters. "ATIRCM was put to the test in a complex situation where Chinook aircraft were engaged by multiple infrared, man-portable air-defense missiles," he said. He didn't indicate in what combat theater the ATIRCM countered the threat. He added his company was dispatching the system to all Chinook fleets as soon as possible so all deployed helicopters are protected against infrared-guided missile threats.