Northrop Grumman recently tested a pod mounted laser Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) carried on a Dutch AH-64D Apache helicopter against heat seeking missiles, meeting all the requirements set by the Dutch Air Force and the manufacturer.
This was the first application of a self-contained, removable DIRCM countermeasure pod on a military helicopter. The tests are part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache Modular Aircraft Survivability Equipment (AMASE) upgrade of the infrared missile protection systems used by its AH-64D attack helicopters. Each helicopter will carry two DIRCM-modified pods.
