Northrop Grumman Expands Aircraft Protection to Germany

For the first time, Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is providing its Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) system to Germany, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading developer of advanced aircraft survivability systems, with a broadening presence in Europe. 

CIRCM, a U.S. Army program of record, acts as a high-tech shield when installed on the outside of military helicopters. Using advanced electro-optical infrared technology, the system quickly defeats incoming threats, such as shoulder-fired missiles, and shoots a high-performance laser at the threat to jam its targeting signal – disrupting its tracking ability, which causes it to fall away. 

Key Highlights:

• Germany will receive 47 CIRCM systems as part of a U.S. Army production award.
• The CIRCM systems for Germany will be installed on their newly ordered CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
• These CIRCM units will modernize capabilities for Germany’s new rotary aircraft, fulfilling NATO combat readiness mission requirements. 

Nearly 700 Northrop Grumman CIRCM systems have been installed on rotary wing aircraft worldwide, making it the most widely used system of its kind. CIRCM is achieving more than 70,000 operational flight hours on Army AH-64, CH-47 and UH-60 rotary aircraft, with an exceptional performance record and no aircraft losses.

Experts: 
Leah Hooten, vice president, aircraft survivability, Northrop Grumman: “More international partners are recognizing CIRCM’s pioneering protection capabilities to maximize successful missions. With open architecture, the lightweight CIRCM system stays ready for any mission with the agility for rapid technology upgrades. It’s not only ideal for small aircraft – it’s a crucial system that brings key advantages to our international warfighters.”

Details: 
Northrop Grumman has protected warfighters against infrared threats for more than 50 years, developing infrared countermeasures (IRCM) technology that’s installed on more than 1,500 aircraft of 85 types. IRCM refers to a variety of systems designed to protect aircraft from infrared-guided threats.

The next generation missile warning system, Northrop Grumman’s Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS), is integrated with CIRCM to deliver greater performance against emerging threats. In 2025, the Army announced an early decision to select ITDS for Phase II development.