Reduced Power Consumption, Increased Speed and Effectiveness

At the AOC EW Europe event in Lausanne on 6 June Indra and Elettronica Group announced their collaboration in the development of a next generation Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL)-based Direct Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system suitable to protect rotary and fixed wing aircraft. The system, the first to be fully developed in Europe and one of the most advanced in the market, has been dubbed EuroDIRQM, to reflect its European roots and its application of QCL technology for DIRCM purposes.

The two companies have already completed development of a EuroDIRQM prototype system, with QCL operational ground tests successfully performed in March with the kind cooperation of the Italian Air Force. EuroDIRQM is conceived as an ‘all-in-one’ system, suitable for multiple platforms and missions, providing self-protection capabilities to a wide range of platforms, from helicopters to transport and combat aircraft.

QCL is the latest development in laser technology, and represents a step forward from conventional semiconductor lasers. QCL energy is generated directly in the band of interest, optimising power consumption – a cutting edge technology that is currently being introduced for next-generation systems in all fields.

The EuroDIRQM solution will bring together about 30 years of combined experience in the DIRCM field by the two companies and their collaboration will benefit from their long term cooperation in other successful international programmes.