Airbus has been contracted by the German arms procurement agency to equip 23 German Air Force A400Ms with Elbit Systems’ DIRCM protection systems.
The DIRCM, or Directed Infrared Counter Measures, protects an aircraft from infrared homing missiles, primarily launched from man-portable air-defense systems.
The contract includes training, service bulletins, and tools.
Airbus teams will install the systems during the aircraft’s scheduled maintenance at Airbus in Manching, southern Germany, as well as in Getafe and Sevilla, Spain.
The system is being tested in Sevilla on a German Air Force A400M, with certification scheduled for summer 2025 and installation through 2032.
“Transporting troops, equipment and humanitarian supplies, refueling other aircraft and helicopters in the air, serving as a flying hospital for the treatment of wounded personnel – the Airbus A400M is the face and workhorse of the German Air Force,” Head of the A400M program at Airbus Defence and Space, Gerd Weber, said.
“The new DIRCM system will provide A400M crews with even greater protection during their missions around the world and expand the already broad range of applications for this exceptional aircraft.”
German Air Force A400
Germany’s air force has a fleet of 42 A400s for a range of tasks such as air transport, airborne gas station, and medical evacuation.
Aircraft selected for DIRCM installation are only deployed for tactical operations and medical evacuation.
The Airbus aircraft can transport and airdrop personnel and materials and is capable of accommodating up to 116 people.
The A400M has a maximum takeoff weight of 141 tons, a service ceiling of around 12,000 meters (39,370 feet), and a range of 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles) at full payload.
It has a top speed of 750 kilometers (466 miles) per hour and altitude of 10,000 meters (32,789 feet) and a cruising speed of Mach 0.68 (840 kilometers/522 miles per hour).
