Leonardo, a global Italian hi-tech aerospace and defense firm had signed off a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services provider Sabena Technics during the recently concluded Dubai Airshow 2021.
It will be overviewing the two firms to jointly address in tandem market for protected VVIP and military aircraft, with a focussed perspective on European, Middle East and African markets.
Under the particular agreement, Sabena Technics will be providing Leonardo’s Miysis DIRCM (Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure) for the clients overviewing for modification and equipping their aircraft with the gold standard security against the infrared-guided missiles.
As per Leonardo’s statement, the requirement for this device is for a simple fact that, in recent times the added threat from the tech powered aircrafts transcends borders and conventional theatres of operations making them sophisticated and lethal.
To address technologically advanced systems, such as infrared guided missiles, there is a critical requirement to step up the conventional approach that beforehand was utilized as a cocktail of flares as countermeasures.
Leonardo firm further explained about the Miysis DIRCM works by shining a high-powered laser onto a missile’s targeting system, ‘dazzling’ it and forcing the missile away from its intended target. Extensive analysis and live fire trials by UK and international customers has confirmed that Miysis DIRCM can defeat 100% of incoming infrared missiles.
Statement from Leonardo’s VP Sales Radar and Advanced Targeting, Tonny Innes
Tonny Innes, Leonardo’s VP Sales Radar and Advanced Targeting stated: “Miysis DIRCM offers total protection against IR-guided missiles and we’re excited about this new channel through which aircraft owners and operators will be able to access this life-saving equipment.”
Statement from Philippe Rochet, CEO, Sabena technics
Philippe Rochet, CEO, Sabena technics stated: “Thanks to our strong integration capability, we have carried out and certified Self Protection solutions modifications for various operators worldwide.”
As per the firm’s interim reports, Miysis DIRCM is designed and created in Edinburgh, UK and has already been delivered and utilized by special clients like UK Armed Forces and a number of other NATO and non-NATO nations. It’s also utilized by the Air Forces, Governmental and private aircraft owners in the Middle East and beyond will be able to take an advantage from the combination of Sabena technics’ in-house integration competences for their complex modification or upgrade projects and Leonardo’s proven Miysis DIRCM solution.
Meanwhile, its integrated multiple-head installation ensures complete spherical protection around the aircraft, even during manoeuvres, in contrast to more basic single-head systems on the market that suffer from blind spots when the aircraft isn’t flying straight and level.
As per Leonardo, the Miysis DIRCM is in full production and available currently. Its UK design, manufacture and supply chain ensures that this highly advanced system is also readily exportable to customers in the Middle East and beyond.
