Editing Directional Infrared Counter Measures

{{short description|System to protect aircraft from heat seeking portable missiles}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}

[[File:C-17 missile countermeasures laser turret.jpg|thumb|Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM]]
'''Directional Infrared Counter Measures''' ('''DIRCM''') are a class of [[anti-missile]] systems produced to protect [[aircraft]] from [[infrared homing]] missiles, primarily [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] and similar simple systems.

Earlier [[infrared countermeasures]] like [[flare]]s or hot block systems that produce random flashes of IR light are semi- or omnidirectional. This results in the missile seeker receiving relatively little IR energy due to the [[inverse square law]]. DIRCM systems instead aim their IR output directly at the missile using some source of tracking information and a trainable emitter. This allows a relatively small device to overwhelm the missile seeker by focusing all of its output on it.

Examples are produced by many aerospace companies, such as 
[[Aselsan]], [[Leonardo S.p.A.]], [[Elbit Systems]], [[Northrop Grumman]], [[ITT Corporation]], and [[BAE Systems]]. A Russian example is the 101KS-O.

==Method of operation==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:101 KS-O DIRCM for Su-57.jpg|thumb|Russian 101 KS-O DIRCM for [[Sukhoi Su-57|Su-57]]]] -->
The systems use an effective method of jamming [[infrared homing|infrared missile]] seekers through the sensor aperture and can be placed in either active or standby mode. In the standby mode, the [[aircrew]] must select the active mode to begin jamming [[infrared]] (IR) threats. The pulsing flashes of IR energy confuse the missile guidance system, preventing the tracking of the target aircraft.

== Systems ==

===AN/AAQ-24===
The AN/AAQ-24 system is a directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system.  It consists of a missile warning system ([[AN/AAR-54]]), an integration unit, a processor, and laser turrets (Small Laser Transmitter Assembly, SLTA). Early versions of this system used an [[arc lamp]] to generate the jammer [[signal]]. The newer versions of this system manufactured by [[Northrop Grumman]] use diode-based [[laser pumping]] systems known by the name GUARDIAN. These systems are intended for potential fitting to commercial carriers pending the completion of multiple tests on the viability of such options.

The AN/AAQ-24 system is installed in the [[Northrop Grumman Guardian]] system marketed for commercial aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://investor.northropgrumman.com/news-releases/news-release-details/northrop-grumman-completes-design-commercial-aircraft-protection|title=Northrop Grumman Completes Design of Commercial Aircraft Protection System|website=Northrop Grumman|language=en|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> The system will be installed by 2025<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://militaryleak.com/2019/01/05/northrop-grumman-receives-3-6-billion-contract-for-large-aircraft-infrared-countermeasure-systems/|title=Northrop Grumman receives $3.6 Billion contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure systems|date=2019-01-05|website=MilitaryLeak|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> on [[C-17 Globemaster III]], [[MC-130]], [[CV-22 Osprey]], and the [[CH-53E Super Stallion]]. In 2010, the US [[Defense Security Cooperation Agency]] announced to [[United States Congress|Congress]] a possible sale to Canada of eight AN/AAQ-24(V) DIRCMs including equipment and services for a total value of up to US$72 million.<ref name=dcsa>{{Cite press release|url= https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/canada-anaaq-24v-directional-infrared-countermeasure-systems |title= Canada – AN/AAQ-24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasure Systems |first1= Charles |last1= Taylor |first2= Paul |last2= Ebner |publisher=Defense Security Cooperation Agency |date= 15 September 2010 |access-date=2024-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328094741/https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/canada-anaaq-24v-directional-infrared-countermeasure-systems |archive-date=2021-03-28}}</ref> Other material and services would include publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services.<ref name=dcsa />

[[Large Aircraft Infrared Counter-Measure]] system (LAIRCM) was a [[US military|US Military]] requirement for protecting its large aircraft from infrared-guided missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/laircm.htm|title=Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011118050507/http://www.globalsecurity.org:80/military/systems/aircraft/systems/laircm.htm |archive-date=18 November 2001 |access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> The AN/AAQ-24 Nemesis system was produced to serve this requirement.

LAIRCM-Lite is a C-17 program that uses a combination of laser jamming DIRCM and flares due to the limited availability of LAIRCM components.

===101KS-O===
The 101KS-O is a DIRCM system mounted on the [[Sukhoi Su-57]] fighter jet. It has sensors that are placed in turrets, which are mounted on two points: the dorsal spine and the forward fuselage under the cockpit. It uses [[Modulation|modulated]] laser-based countermeasures to confuse or destroy incoming missiles' tracking mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://globaldefencewatch.com/sukhoi-57s-targetting-pod-101ks-n-spotted/ |title=Sukhoi-57's Targetting Pod 101KS-N Spotted |website=Global Defence Watch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203163824/https://globaldefencewatch.com/sukhoi-57s-targetting-pod-101ks-n-spotted/ |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The 101KS-O is the first DIRCM that is deployed on any fighter aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogoway |first1=Tyler |title=No, The Su-57 Isn't 'Junk:' Six Features We like on Russia's New Fighter |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20434/no-the-su-57-isnt-junk-six-features-we-like-on-russias-new-fighter |website=The Drive |date=30 April 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category|AN/AAQ-24}}
{{Portal|United States|Electronics|Aviation}}
* {{annotated link|AN/ALQ-144}}
* [[YILDIRIM 100]]
* {{annotated link|Civil Aircraft Missile Protection System}}
* {{annotated link|Common Infrared Countermeasures program}}
* {{annotated link|Flight Guard}}
* {{annotated link|Missile approach warning system}}
* {{annotated link|List of military electronics of the United States}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/an-aaq-24.htm Global Security – AN/AAQ-24]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100623063857/http://es.itt.com/microsite/2/index.html ITT – Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM)]

{{Electronic warfare navbox}}

[[Category:Infrared imaging]]
[[Category:Missile countermeasures]]
[[Category:Military electronics of the United States]]
[[Category:Northrop Grumman]]
[[Category:Electronic countermeasures]]
[[Category:Electronic warfare]]