Diehl signed a cooperation agreement with Elbit Systems on A400m protection system.

Diehl Defence signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Elbit Systems, to equip the Bundeswehr´s Airbus A400M transport aircraft with its self-protection system. The agreement was signed at the International Aviation and Space Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin on May 20.

Diehl combines three of Elbit System´s J-MUSIC™ (Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasure) systems into a multi-turret DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measure) system ensuring complete 360° protection of the aircraft. J-MUSIC is designed to protect large military and commercial aircraft against terrorist attacks by infrared-guided missiles.

Elbit Systems completed extensive testing of the J-MUSIC™ system and has delivered systems to equip several aircraft for customers this year.

The cooperation agreement between Diehl and Elbit Systems provides the Bundeswehr with an optimal, operationally-ready DIRCM solution. Diehl would be able to deliver the first DIRCM protection system for the A400M in 2015.