Elbit Systems Ltd. announced recently that it was awarded a contract from DIEHL BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG to provide J-MUSIC Multi-Spectral Directed Infrared Counter Measure (DIRCM) systems for the first phase of the German Air Force’s self-protection programme for its new Airbus A400 aircraft. The contract will be performed over approximately one-year and is an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems.

Designed to protect large military and commercial aircraft against attacks by ground-to-air heat seeking man-portable missiles (MANPADS), the J-MUSIC systems, will be integrated into a multi-turret DIRCM system, ensuring 360° protection of the aircraft.

Elbit Systems has completed extensive testing of the J-MUSIC system and has already delivered systems to equip several types of aircraft to various customers.

Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “We are proud of our cooperation with DIEHL Defence on DIRCM that has resulted in this initial contract for the protection of the German Air Force’s A400M aircraft. Our DIRCM systems provide effective protection to the growing threat of MANPADS, and we hope that additional customers will follow and select our systems as their preferred solution”.

The C-MUSIC DIRCM system, another member of Elbit Systems DIRCM family, was developed for the Israeli National “Sky Shield” programme, for the protection of the Israeli large commercial aircraft fleet.

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defence electronics company engaged in a wide range of programmes throughout the world. The company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems.