The U.S. Air Force has authorized full rate production of the NexGen Infrared missile warning system (MWS), a Northrop Grumman-designed, built and tested protection system for C-17, EC-130J, HC/MC-130J and other Air Force platforms.

"The full rate production approval of the NexGen missile warning system, a spiral upgrade to the current Ultraviolet missile warning system, will enable the fielding of this capability to our Mobility Air Force airlift and Special Operations fleets, and significantly increase their ability to counter the MANPAD threat," said U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Shanley, the Air Force LAIRCM Program's Senior Material Leader.

"This latest milestone decision will ensure the Air Force has the most advanced missile warning system with longer detection range and reduced false alarms," said Carl Smith, vice president of infrared countermeasures (IRCM) programs at Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division.

Northrop Grumman's IRCM systems are now installed or scheduled for installation on several hundred military aircraft across the Department of Defense to protect approximately 50 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks.