# U.S. Army Awards $4.8B CIRCM Laser Contract

The U.S. Army awarded Northrop Grumman a **$4.84 billion** firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract on September 8, 2026, for full-rate production and maintenance of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system. This contract extends through September 2035 and aims to equip the entire Army helicopter fleet—including Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook, and future MV-75 FLRAA tiltrotor aircraft—with advanced laser-based missile-jamming technology to counter heat-seeking threats. The modernization replaces the older ATIRCM system with a lighter, more effective solution, enhancing rotary-wing survivability. The program also anticipates foreign military sales to Germany and the United Kingdom, indicating international demand for this defense capability.

- **Why this matters:** This large-scale contract signals sustained investment in rotary-wing aircraft survivability and laser countermeasure technologies, creating long-term opportunities for defense contractors and suppliers.
- The IDIQ structure through 2035 provides a stable production and maintenance pipeline, encouraging vendors to align capabilities with evolving Army requirements.
- Companies involved in laser defense systems, infrared countermeasures, and helicopter survivability technologies should evaluate partnership or subcontracting opportunities with Northrop Grumman and component suppliers like Leonardo DRS.
- Procurement professionals should note the strategic importance of this program in supporting both domestic and allied helicopter fleets, influencing future budget and acquisition planning at Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal
- U.S. Air Force (Air Force)

### Vendors
- Northrop Grumman (prime contractor)
- Leonardo DRS (component supplier)

### Sources
- [Army Buys $4.8B in Missile-Jamming Lasers as Ukraine Exposes Helicopter Risk | SOFX](https://www.sofx.com/army-buys-4-8b-in-missile-jamming-lasers-as-ukraine-exposes-helicopter-risk) - SOFX
- [🚁The U.S. Army has awarded a $4.8 billion contract to Northrop Grumman for the mass production of CIRCM laser defense systems for helicopters.

https://t.co/KeZbBF1v3x](https://x.com/militarnyi/status/2100664254550434279) - twitter-defense