USA approves sales for LAIRCM System to Qatar.

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar of two AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $86 million.

LAIRCM (Picture source: Northrop Grumman)

The Government of Qatar has requested to buy two AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems to protect two (2) 747-800 Head-of-State aircraft. This proposed sale will include: twelve (12) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTA) (6 installed, 6 spares); seven (7) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) ( 2 installed 5 spares); twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) (10 installed, 13 spares); Control Indicator Unit Replacements (CIURs); Smart Card Assemblies (SCAs); High Capacity Cards (HCCs); User Data Memory (UDM) cards; initial spares; consumables; repair and return support; support equipment; engineering design; integration; hardware integration; flight test and certifications; selective availability anti-spoofing modules (SAASM); publications and technical documentation; training and training equipment; field service representatives; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $86 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East. Qatar is host to the U.S. Central Command forces and serves as a critical forward-deployed location in the region.

The proposed sale will improve Qatar’s capability to deter regional threats. The self-protection suite will facilitate a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Northrop Grumman, Rolling Meadows, IL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.