Boeing awarded $31.2 million

The

has awarded

a $31.2 million contract modification to upgrade 25 additional C-17s Globemaster IIIs with Northrop Grumman’s Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) defensive system.

Boeing is now on contract to upgrade a total of 56 C-17s with the LAIRCM system and has already delivered 25 upgraded aircraft. LAIRCM autonomously detects, tracks and jams infrared-seeking missiles by directing a high-intensity modulated laser beam into them.

This most recent award is a contract modification to the work Logistics Support Systems, a part of Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems, performs under the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership. Through the C-17 GSP, Boeing has total system support responsibility for the aircraft, including materiel management and depot maintenance.

The work will be performed at Boeing facilities in Long Beach, California, and San Antonio, Texas, and will be complete by March 2007.