Israeli company Elbit Systems has announced a new contract from Germany for its J-MUSIC Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system, which uses a high-energy infrared laser beam to disrupt heat-seeking missiles.
These systems are designated for installation on 23 A400M aircraft of the German Air Force. According to the announcement, the contract will be fulfilled over the next six years. Currently, Germany operates the largest A400M fleet — 48 aircraft in service with 5 more on order.
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The contract is valued at $260 million, with funding already approved on June 4. This puts the unit cost of each J-MUSIC system at approximately $11.3 million.
Each system consists of a missile launch detection sensor and a directional infrared laser emitter. When a MANPADS is launched, the system locks onto its infrared seeker and blinds it, causing the missile to veer off course. A video of a similar Turkish system shows how this works in practice.
J-MUSIC requires no significant airframe modifications. It is compact and doesn't affect the aircraft’s flight characteristics but significantly enhances protection against shoulder-fired missiles — especially during takeoff or low-altitude flight in high-risk areas.
These systems are not new. For example, the U.S. AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM is already in use on C-17 Globemaster III, MC-130, and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. The UK has also previously installed similar systems (specifically LAIRCM from Northrop Grumman) on its A400Ms.
But this is the first time Germany will field DIRCM on its own fleet. Until now, German A400Ms have only been equipped with missile launch detection systems and automatic dispensers for flares and chaff. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has now instructed the manufacturer to integrate J-MUSIC systems during scheduled maintenance cycles.
The J-MUSIC system has previously been installed on Airbus A330-200 MRTT aerial refueling tankers, and, according to unconfirmed reports, even on the French presidential aircraft used by Emmanuel Macron, the A330-200 Présidentiel. A civilian version of the system is also available for commercial passenger jets.
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