Boeing to Upgrade Infrared Countermeasures of Canadian, Australian C-17 Airlifters
The US Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a $13.1-million contract to modernize infrared countermeasures for C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft in service with Canada and Australia.
Infrared countermeasures are designed to protect vehicles from heat-seeking warheads by redirecting threats to decoys emitted from the device.
The solution comes in flares, laser pointers, or signal interference types that all work to confuse or disrupt the target-locking mechanisms of adversaries.
Block 30 Configuration
Under the deal, Boeing will provide upgrade packages to five C-17s under the Royal Canadian Air Force and eight under the Royal Australian Air Force.
This move transitions the Block 10 countermeasures installed in all platforms into the latest Block 30 configuration, and will cover related installation and technical support services.
The company will perform associated tasks at its facility in San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to be completed by July 2030.
Progress on this initiative will be coordinated with the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center in Warner Robins, Georgia, which oversees the project.
Revamps for American C-17s
The deal follows Boeing’s acceptance of a separate deal to upgrade the US Air Force’s C-17 flight deck.
The company said that this effort will support the systems’ planned service life extension through 2075, maintaining the effectiveness of the fleet, which has been operational since the 1990s.
Part of that project is the replacement of the Globemasters’ mission computers to deliver improved digital capabilities and allow integrations with future modules.
