Airbus to Fit DIRCM on Luftwaffe A400M Tactical Airlifters

Airbus Defence and Space (Manching, Germany) has been contracted to equip Luftwaffe A400M tactical airlifters with J-MUSIC directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) systems sourced from Elbit Systems (Haifa, Israel).

The contract, awarded by Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Operations of the Bundeswehr (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr – BAAINBw), covers DIRCM fits to 23 A400M aircraft used for tactical operations, including medical evacuation missions in crisis areas. The contract scope also includes training, service bulletins and tools.

J-MUSIC is a large aircraft variant of Elbit’s MUSIC dual-band fibre laser DIRCM system. A J-MUSIC installation typically features three DIRCM heads to provide unobstructed all-round protection.

A Luftwaffe A400M with J-MUSIC fitted is currently in test at Airbus facilities in Seville, Spain, with certification scheduled during the third quarter of 2025. Airbus teams will install the J-MUSIC systems during scheduled maintenance at Airbus in Manching, southern Germany, as well as in Seville and Getafe in Spain: all 23 aircraft are to due to receive DIRCM installations by 2032.

The A400M contract marks another success for J-MUSIC in Germany. Elbit Systems Deutschland in late 2024 received a contract from Lufthansa Technik – at the direction of BAAINBw – to equip German government Airbus A350-900 VIP aircraft with J-MUSIC. This contract, which is being executed over a five-year period, covers DIRCM fits to the three A350 aircraft operated by the Special Air Mission Wing. – R. Scott