NAVAIR Places Leonardo DRS DAIRCM System Into Three-Year Production

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Leonardo DRS a three-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for low-rate initial production of the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) aircraft-survivability system. The award moves the program beyond its Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase and into production. The contract value and number were not disclosed, and the award is not an active solicitation for other bidders.

DAIRCM is a lightweight, modular system designed for small- and medium-sized aircraft with demanding size, weight, and integration requirements. It combines missile warning, directed infrared countermeasures, laser warning, and hostile-fire indication to help protect aircraft and crews against missile and other airborne threats in contested environments. The system can pair threat detection with directed infrared and expendable countermeasures intended to defeat infrared-guided missiles.

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter as potential application platforms. The system is intended to replace the AAR-47 missile-warning system on a limited number of these aircraft. DAIRCM has also been deployed on aircraft operating under a Joint Urgent Operational Need Statement, giving the production transition a basis in operational use as well as development work.

For suppliers and competitors, the award points to potential follow-on demand in production hardware, aircraft integration, systems engineering, program management, and logistics support. Leonardo DRS will manufacture hardware at facilities in Dallas, Texas, and San Diego, California, while aircraft integration and logistics activities are planned at its Fort Walton Beach, Florida facility. These locations and work areas can help suppliers identify relevant teaming or subcontracting pathways, but the award itself does not create an open bid opportunity. The low-rate production phase follows capability and producibility enhancements made during development, so future support requirements may reflect the resulting system configuration and integration needs.

• Contract structure: NAVAIR awarded a three-year IDIQ for DAIRCM low-rate initial production; the contract number and value were not disclosed.
• Production scope: Leonardo DRS will perform hardware production, aircraft integration, systems engineering, program management, and logistics support.
• System designation: The effort covers the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure aircraft-survivability system.
• Integrated functions: DAIRCM combines missile warning, directed infrared countermeasures, laser warning, and hostile-fire indication in a modular suite.
• Marine Corps platforms: The AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom have been identified as application platforms; the system is intended to replace AAR-47 on a limited number of aircraft.
• Manufacturing footprint: Hardware production is planned for Leonardo DRS facilities in Dallas, Texas, and San Diego, California.
• Integration and logistics location: Leonardo DRS plans to conduct aircraft integration and logistics activities at its Fort Walton Beach, Florida facility.
• Program maturity: Low-rate initial production follows Engineering and Manufacturing Development, including capability and producibility enhancements.
• Supplier takeaway: Relevant firms can monitor potential subcontracting and follow-on requirements across hardware, integration, engineering, and support, while recognizing that no active solicitation is described.

Leonardo DRS President and Chief Executive Officer John Baylouny said, “This award moves the DRS DAIRCM System into low-rate initial production and expands our ability to provide critical integrated aircraft survivability capabilities to our military customers.” He added that the company was proud to help address evolving survivability requirements and enhance crew protection with an advanced integrated capability. The award therefore represents both a production milestone and an expansion of the company’s aircraft-survivability portfolio as airborne threats evolve and proliferate.