U.S. Air Force tests KC-46A defense system
One aircraft is now equipped with a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, defensive system to protect the tanker from surface-launched Infrared (IR) guided missiles.
The LAIRCM is a directional, active IR jammer that is designed to defeat a wide range of ground-fired IR (heat-seeking) missiles. The system jams the infrared missile seekers through the sensor aperture, causing the missile to miss the intended target.
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