A government customer has selected Leonardo’s Miysis Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) and MAIR threat warning system to protect a VIP-configured Airbus A330 aircraft.
According to Leonardo, the system will be installed by Jet Aviation at its maintenance and completion facility as part of the aircraft’s conversion for high-profile transportation.
The system is designed to detect, track, and neutralise infrared-guided missiles, a significant threat to aircraft in conflict zones or high-risk areas. Leonardo claims the Miysis DIRCM has demonstrated a 100% success rate in live trials, providing a level of assurance to operators.
The MAIR threat warning system detects potential missile threats using infrared cameras, which identify heat signatures and relay data to the Miysis DIRCM. The system then uses a laser to dazzle the missile’s seeker, disabling its ability to lock onto the aircraft.
The Miysis DIRCM system is compact, lightweight, and reportedly requires no maintenance post-installation, which Leonardo highlights as a cost-saving feature. The system can be equipped on a variety of aircraft, ranging from helicopters to wide-body jets, with the company asserting that its installation does not interfere with existing aircraft systems or performance.
Infrared-guided missiles, particularly those launched by Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), pose a well-documented risk to aviation, especially in conflict zones. Leonardo pointed out in their announcement that their protection systems are already deployed on aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force and other NATO members, as well as Middle Eastern countries.
The choice of Leonardo’s platform reflects the growing demand for sophisticated countermeasure systems to safeguard high-value assets in increasingly complex threat environments. Such systems are becoming a standard feature on VIP and military aircraft as the proliferation of portable missile systems increases.
While Leonardo has positioned the Miysis DIRCM and MAIR systems as a solution for aircraft operating in high-threat areas, the selection also underscores the ongoing investment in aviation security technology to protect key individuals and assets.
Shouldn’t all the Troop Transport/Tankers have this?
Not two tier is it.?. He seems to be trying to spend as much time as possible out of the U.K.
You are allowed to admit that you don’t understand how government works.