Local engineers test missile threat detection

Robins and Northrup Grumman engineers work together on complex missile threat detection system, which saves lives down range. Known as Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, the sophisticated technology combines a missile warning system and GLTA laser jammer, better known as the Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly.

The end goal is to not only detect a missile threat, but to track and defeat it by confusing the missile’s guidance system so that it’s destroyed. Engineers routinely test the interface unit that pilots use to detect incoming missile threats. A test simulation runs a signal through every portion of the processor, giving the operator a three-dimensional view of where a missile originated.

“The plane – via these missile warning sensors – detect when it has been fired upon,” said Jeff Lamb, LAIRCM element chief.

The GLTA portion of the system is tested in a special laser firing range.

“It’s basically a really high-tech laser pointer,” explained Lamb.

The system can lock onto three missiles at a time from a far distance – picking up on the threat as they’re launched from the ground up to high altitudes. Robins performs 20 percent of the testing workload, and 100 percent of the system’s processor workload, according to Lamb. As the program expands, Robins will perform 80 percent of testing, while continuing to maintain and test the processor.

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