18 June 2019

Paris Air Show 2019: NATO MRTT to receive Elbit DIRCM

by Nicholas Fiorenza

NATO, Airbus, and Elbit Systems have integrated and tested the J-MUSIC directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) self-protection system into an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft of the NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF), the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Elbit announced on the first day of the 53rd Paris Air Show being held on 17–23 June.

NATO, Airbus, and Elbit Systems flight tested the J-MUSIC self-protection system integrated into an A330 MRTT of the NATO MMF at the end of May. (Dutch MoD)

Elbit said in a press release that its engineers had supported three days of integration flight tests led by Airbus at the end of May at Madrid-Getafe airfield, which were monitored by representatives of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR). The tests demonstrated the functionality of the J-MUSIC DIRCM system, which defeated multiple simulated head-on, tail-on, and side-on threats from various ranges and against an A330 MRTT conducting a series of flight manoeuvres at different altitudes, according to Elbit.

Alberto Gutiérrez, head of Airbus Military Aircraft, said, “this milestone is a significant step that paves the way for the delivery of the first A330 MRTT for the MMF fleet by 2020”. The first two MRTTs are scheduled to be delivered in 2020, replacing the capacity of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s two KDC-10 tanker transports. The remaining five aircraft are due to be delivered in 2021–24.

The Dutch MoD said on its website that the J-MUSIC DIRCM would equip the eight MRTTs ordered so far: five to be stationed at the MMF’s main operating base in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and three at the forward operating base in Cologne-Wahn, Germany.

NATO, Airbus, and Elbit Systems have integrated and tested the J-MUSIC directed infrared countermeas...

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