NIRCM - Infrared and Electro-Optic Systems and Countermeasures Consultancy

Netherlands Infrared Consulting and Modelling (NIRCM) offers engineering consultancy in infrared and electro-optic systems for military and civilian applications. The primary activities address today's critical need for aircraft protection against terrorist attacks, using MANPADS missiles.

We possess 25 years of experience in electronic warfare, weapon systems and sensors. This is available for independent consultancy to address customers' needs in concept development, requirements definition, design, test and evaluation of infrared sensor and countermeasure systems, ballistic-missile defence sensors, directed energy weapons, and stand-off chemical sensors.

DIRCM and other types of countermeasure systems for aircraft self-protection and ground-based area protection are in rapid development. NIRCM offers the expertise for objective, analytical evaluation of solution alternatives in counterterrorism.

INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES (IRCM) DESIGN AND EVALUATION

NIRCM has the capability to provide detailed and objective analysis of countermeasure technology and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs).

Protection of military and civilian aircraft against terrorist attacks with shoulder-launched IR-guided missiles is a critical concern in the war on terror. New technology developments in Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) are challenged in the market by significant advances from competing technologies.

Making the correct choice for optimum protection requires experience and knowledge in depth. NIRCM provides modelling and analysis of DIRCM effectiveness with emphasis on wide-body aircraft, and, in addition, analysis of conventional and advanced materials decoys.

Beyond current threats that have been in operational use since the 1980s, seeker technology continues to evolve. The latest generations of imaging infrared seekers pose a threat entirely different in character from the Stinger-type and SA-7 through SA-18s. NIRCM, with the background of participation in the NATO Imaging Seeker Surrogate (ISS) project, has expertise in methods to counter the latest generation threats.

BALLISTIC-MISSILE DEFENCE SENSOR DESIGN AND EVALUATION

NIRCM offers expertise in strategic and theatre Ballistic-Missile Defence (BMD) sensor systems design. Knowledge of target signatures, phenomenology, atmospheric effects and sensor performance are required to fully understand the sensor systems for:

• Missile defence interceptors tracking and discrimination
• Airborne infrared for ballistic-missile defence early warning
• Defence Support Program (DSP) and other early warning sensors

DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS EVALUATION AND OPERATIONAL INFLUENCE

High-energy laser directed energy weapons are in advanced stages of development and will be deployed operationally within the decade. Very large systems for strategic defence will operate over a range of hundreds of kilometres with multi-megawatt beams. Smaller tactical systems will be employed in air combat and air defence.

NIRCM offers expertise in the expected functionality and operational impact of these novel weapons. To be employed initially in specialised niche applications, the long-term impact of these systems is anticipated to be significant as applications spread into many diverse roles.

PROJECTS

Projects we have been involved in include:

• Modelling and analysis of DIRCM effectiveness with emphasis on wide-body aircraft
• Modelling and analysis of decoy flare countermeasures
• Infrared signature analysis of air, land and sea platforms
• Countermeasures to imaging seekers
• Imaging seeker countermeasure techniques and trials
• Image processing
• Analysis of operational and technical issues in electro-optic warfare fratricide
• DSP early warning sensors
• Image sensor design and image processing algorithm for SADARM anti-tank ammunition
• Project engineer for the POLYPHEME control station (imaging infrared fibre-optic guided missile)
• Navigation and terminal guidance methods in image processing
• Project engineer for the NATO ISS
• Field trial design, execution and analysis for air, land, and sea environments
• Analysis of technology implementation and operational impact of high-energy laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)
• Laser spectral sensing technology implementation for detection of explosives
• Performance analysis and requirements definition for orbital sensor systems related to missile defence interceptors tracking and discrimination