World Defense & Security News - Elbit Systems
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Elbit to provide NATO MMF fleet with DIRCM self-protection systems
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Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded a follow-on $46 million contract to supply additional J-Music DIRCM (Direct Infrared Countermeasures) self-protection systems to NATO, for its Airbus A330 Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet ("MMF") Program. The contract will be performed over a four-year period.
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 (Credit: EDA) |
Similar to several previous awards from global air forces and other customers, Elbit Systems will equip NATO's Airbus A330 tankers with the J-Music DIRCM systems along with the Company's Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning Systems (PAWS IR).
Colonel Jan der Kinderen, Chairman of the MMF Steering Group, highlighted: "The MMF users are very pleased that the Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTTs) are going to be equipped with Elbit Systems' J-Music DIRCM system. This will greatly add to the safety and operational flexibility of the total fleet. It is also great to see how Airbus and Elbit Systems work closely together to integrate the systems."
Peter DOHMEN, General Manager, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), said: "NSPA is pleased to award this contract to Elbit Systems and provide important capability for NATO"s A330 tanker fleet, which will allow the aircraft, crew and passengers to operate more safely in hostile environments."
Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR Division, commented: "This follow-on contract that extends the supply of J-Music DIRCM and PAWS IR missile warning systems to NATO's MMF program, attests to Elbit Systems' technological and operational competitive advantage in addressing the intensifying threat of shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles."
The MMF project was initiated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) in 2012 and the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAR) manages the acquisition as the NATO Support and Procurement Agency’s Contract Executing Agent. The acquisition phase was launched in July 2016 with the signing of the original contract and includes the first two years of support. Following the acquisition phase, NSPA will be responsible for the complete life-cycle management of the fleet.
The Programme is funded by the four participants to the MMF project who will have the exclusive right to use these NATO-owned aircraft which will operate in a pooling arrangement. The aircraft will be configured for inflight refuelling, the transport of passengers (including VIPs) and cargo as well as for medical evacuation flights. The aircraft will be operated by a multinational unit from the Main Operating Base (MOB) in Eindhoven (NLD) and Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Cologne (GER).
The delivery of the seven A330 MRTT aircraft currently on contract from Airbus Defence and Space’s tanker conversion line at Getafe near Madrid is expected between 2020 and 2022.
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