Elbit Systems Ltd has secured a contract valued at around $260 million from Airbus Defence and Space to provide its J-MUSIC™ Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) systems for the German Air Force’s A400M transport planes. This agreement, set to unfold over six years, follows a decision by the German Bundeswehr’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Operations (BAAINBw). The DIRCM systems aim to enhance the aircraft’s self-protection capabilities against infrared-guided missile threats, including those from man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).
The J-MUSIC™ system belongs to Elbit’s comprehensive MUSIC™ family of airborne defense technologies. It combines advanced laser countermeasures with sophisticated imaging sensors to autonomously detect, track, and neutralize incoming missile threats in real time, without requiring any crew input. Thanks to its modular and scalable design, the system can be tailored to fit a wide variety of aircraft platforms and integrated smoothly with existing missile warning systems, while its compact size ensures minimal impact on aircraft payload and performance.
