US Air Force plans lasers to protect HH-60W helicopters from heat-seeking missiles

The US Air Force has begun a market survey for advanced missile defense systems for HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters.

The effort focuses on adding an Advanced Infrared Countermeasures system to improve fleet survivability.

AIRCM can defeat modern heat-seeking missiles, while current HH-60W sensors can only detect threats; crews still rely on evasive maneuvers in low-altitude missions.

The Air Force is evaluating Common Infrared Countermeasure and Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure systems, both using laser-based technology.

This market research covers design, modification, and integration, not procurement, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center will oversee it.