USA Approves Sale of $294 Million in Aircraft Laser Defense Systems to the Netherlands

The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of CIRCM infrared missile countermeasure systems to the Netherlands.

The U.S. Department of State reported this.

The Netherlands has requested 16 OT-228/U Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) systems and 38 AN/APR-39E(V)2 radar warning receivers.

The package also includes technical assistance, personnel training, transportation, technical documentation, logistical support, and other related equipment.

The U.S. company Northrop Grumman has been designated as the prime contractor.

CIRCM is a lightweight, next-generation directed infrared countermeasure laser system designed to protect helicopters, convertiplanes, and small aircraft from infrared-guided missiles, particularly those launched from man-portable air defense systems.

The system receives threat data from onboard missile-attack warning systems; then the optoelectronic unit acquires and tracks the missile.

CIRCM then directs modulated laser radiation at the missile’s infrared homing head, disrupting its tracking and preventing it from locking onto the aircraft.

AN/APR-39E(V)2 receivers supplement airborne platforms’ protection by alerting the crew to radar exposure.

As of today, the Netherlands plans to integrate the CIRCM system primarily onto the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense has confirmed the procurement of the CIRCM as part of the Chinook helicopter modernization program. At that time, delivery and operational deployment of the systems were scheduled for 2028.

In addition, software updates are being developed to integrate the CIRCM onto AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.