Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures

The Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) program is a Department of Defense initiative managed by the Air Force to enhance the survivability of large aircraft against infrared-guided missile threats, particularly man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). The primary goal of LAIRCM is to provide fully autonomous, advanced defensive capability for strategic and tactical airlift, tanker, and special mission aircraft. The system is currently fielded on over 54 aircraft types, including C-130, C-17, C-5, KC-135, and various special air mission platforms, with over 1,200 aircraft equipped across the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and 18 foreign military partners.

The LAIRCM system consists of missile warning sensors, a laser transmitter assembly, control interface units, and processors designed to detect, track, and counter incoming infrared missiles. The system operates automatically upon aircraft power-up, requiring minimal crew intervention. The program supports both Group A (aircraft modification kits) and Group B (hardware) procurement and installation. Funding is allocated for installation support, initial spares, support equipment, government-furnished equipment, repairs, line replaceable unit repairs, interim contractor support, depot standup, systems engineering, and program management.

One of the key objectives of the LAIRCM program is to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues and ensure long-term sustainment of the system. This involves monitoring and identifying parts or subsystems at risk of obsolescence, implementing substitute solutions, and, when necessary, redesigning components or assemblies to maintain system reliability and supportability. Funding also supports automated testing environments such as the Mobile Systems Integration Laboratory, Virtual Systems Integration Laboratory, and Automated Systems Integration Laboratory to improve software quality and accelerate development cycles.

LAIRCM C-130J capability improvement is a major line item within the program, focusing on the procurement and installation of Block 30 kits for C-130J aircraft. The objective is to retrofit and upgrade the defensive systems on these airframes, including hardware acquisition, installation, and support for both stretch and short variants. The program includes activities such as qualification testing, change orders, and reliability assessments, with installations planned to begin after hardware delivery and aircraft induction. The FY2026 request supports the installation of C-130J Block 30 kits and associated installation support.

The LAIRCM Special Air Mission Executive Aircraft line item targets the installation of Block 30 LAIRCM on OSA-EA fleet aircraft, such as the C-40. The goal is to replace the older Block 20 configuration, which will be unsupportable after 2028, and ensure all OSA-EA aircraft are equipped for overseas missions. This effort includes non-recurring engineering to redesign A-kits for Block 30 and aligns procurement schedules for A and B kits to meet operational requirements.

Additional line items cover LAIRCM installations and upgrades for other platforms, including C-17, C-5, KC-135, HC/MC/AC-130, and CFIN aircraft. Each modification type is classified as a capability improvement, with funding supporting procurement, installation, and sustainment activities tailored to each aircraft model. The program office also manages common support costs, such as engineering, software test automation, and DMS mitigation, to maintain fleet-wide readiness and address shared sustainment challenges.