# NAVAIR Awards Leonardo DRS DAIRCM Production Contract

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Leonardo DRS a three-year IDIQ contract for low-rate initial production of the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) aircraft-survivability system. The work includes hardware production, aircraft integration, engineering, program management, and logistics support, with the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper identified as platforms. The contract value and number were not disclosed, and this award is not an open solicitation.

- The production scope creates potential supporting opportunities in hardware, aircraft integration, engineering, and logistics for suppliers serving Leonardo DRS or future production requirements.
- Companies should distinguish this award from an active bid opportunity; the signals identify potential follow-on production and support needs, not a current solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
- U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

### Vendors
- Leonardo DRS (contract awardee)

### Sources
- [Leonardo DRS Awarded NAVAIR Contract to Produce DAIRCM Aircraft Survivability System](https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/leonardo-drs-awarded-navair-contract-133000270.html) - Yahoo Finance Australia
- [Infrared countermeasure system enters low-rate production for NAVAIR - Military Embedded Systems](https://militaryembedded.com/avionics/software/infrared-countermeasure-system-enters-low-rate-production-for-navair) - Military Embedded Systems
- [Leonardo DRS wins NAVAIR contract for aircraft survivability system | Military Aerospace](https://www.militaryaerospace.com/home/article/55418328/leonardo-drs-wins-navair-contract-for-aircraft-survivability-system) - Military Aerospace