DoN LAIRCM was fielded on U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009, and NAVAIR describes the system as a combat-proven aircraft survivability suite against infrared missile threats.
Role detailsSupport Equipment
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)
Also known as
- LAIRCM
- AN/AAQ-24
- AN/AAQ-24(V)
- AN/AAQ-24(V) DIRCM
- AN/AAQ-24(V)25
- AN/AAQ-24(V)N
- DoN LAIRCM
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), designated AN/AAQ-24(V), is Northrop Grumman's laser-based directional infrared countermeasure suite for large fixed-wing aircraft and selected rotary-wing platforms. U.S. Navy and test sources describe a platform-tailored system that detects, tracks, and jams infrared missile threats with missile-warning sensors, processors, cockpit controls, and laser transmitter assemblies; DoN LAIRCM was fielded on Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Role in Conflicts
NAVAIR says DoN LAIRCM was originally fielded under a Marine Corps urgent needs statement on CH-53E helicopters in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- Northrop Grumman
- Type
- Infrared countermeasure defensive suite
- Unit cost
- $650K per Group A kit; $3.00M per Group B kit
Specifications
- System type
- Laser-based directional infrared countermeasure suite
- Designation
- AN/AAQ-24(V); DoN LAIRCM product literature identifies AN/AAQ-24(V)25, and export notices also use AN/AAQ-24(V)N
- Countermeasure method
- Automatically detects, tracks, and jams infrared missile threats with directed laser energy
- Protection
- Designed to defeat infrared-guided missiles without pyrotechnic expendables
- Architecture
- Platform-tailored Group A aircraft modification kits plus Group B mission hardware
- Group B hardware
- Missile-warning sensors, laser transmitter assemblies, system processors, control/interface units, and repeaters when required
- DoN helicopter fit
- Five infrared missile-warning sensors, a central processor, cockpit control indicator unit, and two pointer-tracker/jamming subsystems
- Deployment
- Protects more than 1,500 aircraft across 85+ aircraft types
- Coverage
- Fits large and small fixed-wing, rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, VIP, and UAV platforms
Configuration Notes
LAIRCM is not a single fixed shipset. U.S. budget, Navy, and export records describe a platform-tailored architecture split between aircraft installation work and mission hardware.
Group A
Aircraft modification kits and installation work prepare the host aircraft for LAIRCM hardware.
Group B
Mission hardware can include missile-warning sensors, laser transmitter assemblies, control/interface units, processors, user data modules, and repeaters when required.
DoN LAIRCM
NAVAIR describes the helicopter-focused AN/AAQ-24(V)25 fit as five infrared missile-warning sensors, a central processor, cockpit control, and two pointer-tracker/jamming subsystems.
Carrier Aircraft
Official and defense-reference sources document LAIRCM or AN/AAQ-24 installations, upgrades, or platform-specific integration on several U.S. airlift, special-operations, and rotary-wing aircraft.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Broadcast aircraft | The EC-130J article says the aircraft are equipped with LAIRCM for self-protection against MANPAD threats. Sources: EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces Magazine |
 | Strategic airlifter | The Air Force FY2012 aircraft procurement justification describes LAIRCM as a C-5 defensive capability against infrared MANPADS threats and says the long-range plan was to modify retained C-5A/B/M aircraft with the system. Sources: FY2012 Air Force Aircraft Procurement LAIRCM Budget Justification |
 | Tactical airlift aircraft | DOT&E listed C-130H among LAIRCM Phase I platforms, and Air Force budget material separately described C-130J LAIRCM equipment for countering infrared MANPADS threats. Sources: DOT&E FY2011 LAIRCM Report, FY2012 Air Force Aircraft Procurement LAIRCM Budget Justification |
 | Special operations tanker/mobility aircraft | Air & Space Forces Magazine says the MC-130J's specialized mission systems include advanced integrated defensive systems including LAIRCM. Sources: MC-130J Commando II/Combat Talon III | Air & Space Forces Magazine |
 | Gunship | Air & Space Forces Magazine says AC-130J Block 20 added Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures as part of the Ghostrider upgrade path. |
Integration And Test Platforms
Some public sources document LAIRCM or DoN LAIRCM integration, test, or planned fielding platforms rather than a simple fleetwide carried-equipment statement.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Tanker-transport aircraft | DOT&E reported planned FY2017 follow-on testing for KC-130J and said the Navy planned to fully integrate DoN LAIRCM ATW on the KC-130J with mission-system software. |
 | Attack helicopter | DOT&E reported Army testing and integration planning for DoN LAIRCM ATW on AH-64 aircraft in response to a USSOCOM urgent operational need. |
 | Utility helicopter family | DOT&E said Army UH/HH-60 rotary-wing aircraft were planned for federated DoN LAIRCM ATW integration in response to a USSOCOM urgent operational need. |
 | Heavy-lift transport helicopter | DOT&E said Army CH-47 rotary-wing aircraft were planned for federated DoN LAIRCM ATW integration in response to a USSOCOM urgent operational need. |
Timeline
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Key Events
Milestone B recorded
The 2010 Selected Acquisition Report lists LAIRCM Basic Milestone B in September 2001.
Milestone C recorded
The same acquisition report lists LAIRCM Basic Milestone C in August 2002.
Initial operational test completed
The Selected Acquisition Report lists initial operational test and evaluation completion in March 2004, followed by required assets available in July 2004.
Phase I fielded
DOT&E reported LAIRCM Phase I was fielded in 2005 on aircraft including C-5, C-17, C-37, C-40, C-130H, MC-130W, and CV-22.
Phase II operational assessment completed
AFOTEC completed an operational assessment of LAIRCM Phase II focused on large-aircraft survivability against infrared missile threats.
DoN LAIRCM deployment begins
NAVAIR states Department of the Navy LAIRCM initial deployment began in January 2009, with operational testing completed in June 2009.
Navy upgrade contract announced
NAVAIR announced a Northrop Grumman production contract for DoN LAIRCM systems upgrades, with installation planned to begin in 2022.
United Kingdom FMS notification
A U.S. arms-sales notification reported a proposed United Kingdom buy of Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies, AN/AAQ-24(V)N processor replacements, sensors, controls, user data module cards, and support.
Media
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Videos
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the LAIRCM product background, manufacturer context, and the description of the AN/AAQ-24(V) system as a laser-based directional infrared countermeasure suite. | Accessed: 2026-06-27LAIRCM Datasheet | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the LAIRCM modular architecture, aircraft coverage, and directional infrared countermeasure description. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AN/AAQ-24 LAIRCM information paper | Air National GuardPublisher: Air National Guard | Note: Supports the C-130 LAIRCM background and the reported Group A and Group B kit unit costs. | Accessed: 2026-06-27LAIRCM hero image | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the primary LAIRCM image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27LAIRCM common infrared countermeasures image | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports a gallery image showing LAIRCM common infrared countermeasures hardware. | Accessed: 2026-06-27LAIRCM laser aperture image | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports a gallery image showing a LAIRCM laser aperture. | Accessed: 2026-06-27EC-130J Commando Solo/Super J | Air & Space Forces MagazinePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the EC-130J article statement that the aircraft are equipped with LAIRCM for self-protection against MANPAD threats. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Navy awards contract for DoN LAIRCM systems upgradePublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports direct conflict use: DoN LAIRCM fielded by Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters in the 2003 Iraq War through Operation Iraqi Freedom and used in the 2001 War in Afghanistan through Operation Enduring Freedom; also describes the system's infrared missile defense function. | Accessed: 2026-07-02DoN LAIRCMPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports the AN/AAQ-24(V)25 designation, DoN LAIRCM component description, deployment date, weight, and production status. | Accessed: 2026-07-02LAIRCM Selected Acquisition Report December 2010Publisher: Office of the Secretary of Defense | Note: Supports LAIRCM acquisition milestones including Milestone B, Milestone C, initial operational test completion, required assets available, and Next Generation test completion. | Accessed: 2026-07-02DOT&E FY2011 LAIRCM ReportPublisher: Director, Operational Test and Evaluation | Note: Supports Phase I fielding, Phase I and Phase II component descriptions, major contractor context, and Phase II IOT&E assessment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02LAIRCM: Protecting the Military's Big BirdsPublisher: Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center | Note: Supports the autonomous detect-track-jam description, C-17 and C-130 Phase I context, and October 2006 Phase II operational assessment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02FY2012 Air Force Aircraft Procurement LAIRCM Budget JustificationPublisher: U.S. Air Force Financial Management and Comptroller | Note: Supports Group A and Group B acquisition language, C-5 and C-130 LAIRCM platform context, and infrared MANPADS protection claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Department of the Navy LAIRCM FY2016 DOT&E ReportPublisher: Director, Operational Test and Evaluation | Note: Supports DoN LAIRCM ATW integration and planned testing context for KC-130J, AH-64, UH/HH-60, and CH-47 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MC-130J Commando II/Combat Talon III | Air & Space Forces MagazinePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the MC-130J article statement that its specialized mission systems include advanced integrated defensive systems including LAIRCM. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AC-130J Ghostrider | Air & Space Forces MagazinePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the AC-130J article statement that Block 20 added Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Arms Sales Notification: United Kingdom - Large Aircraft Infrared CountermeasuresPublisher: Federal Register | Note: Supports the AN/AAQ-24(V)N designation, directed-energy description, component list, and June 5, 2026 United Kingdom FMS notification. | Accessed: 2026-07-02