South Asia’s current geopolitical situation has generated a security environment that increases the exposure of airborne platforms to man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and evolving electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) seeker missiles. Recent trends in regional arms transfers, the arrival of newer dual-band/imaging seekers and active aerial engagements demonstrate an urgent operational requirement to field advanced EO/IR countermeasures — including flare/warning upgrades and Directed Infra-Red Countermeasures (DIRCM) — on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
As a proven response to these new requirements, ELT Group (ELETTRONICA Spa) proposes its ELT/577 QUIRIS, a new generation of ITAR-free Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system, entirely conceived, designed and developed in-house by ELT Group and specifically built to shield aircraft from the growing threat of shoulder-fired missiles. Unlike earlier solutions, QUIRIS is built as a single, compact unit – an approach that makes it easier to integrate on a wide range of platforms, from light combat helicopters to large transport jets.
At the heart of the system is a solid-state laser powered by Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology, a superior choice over fibre-laser systems. This breakthrough allows the system to deliver high-power, multi-band laser beams while keeping size, weight and power consumption to a minimum. Aircraft can carry QUIRIS without major compromises to space, fuel efficiency or onboard energy needs.
What makes QUIRIS stand out is its ability to disrupt incoming heat-seeking missiles. Its laser unit can rapidly adjust and fine-tune its beam with exceptional precision, ensuring protection against older missile seekers as well as more advanced ones. Importantly, the QCL design broadens the laser’s operational spectrum, giving it effectiveness even against emerging fourth-generation “imaging” seekers that are harder to defeat.
Elt Group boasts a proven track record in EO/IR countermeasures. With over 15 years of work in cutting-edge DIRCM technologies, the company holds patents for coordinating multiple turrets; for the coverage level required by the specific platform; and for combining DIRCM systems with traditional countermeasures like flares, in order to counter the new “imaging threats” for which the DIRCM or flares alone are not efficient. This expertise has shaped QUIRIS into a system that is both technically mature and operationally proven.
That confidence is reflected in its widespread adoption: the company has been selected as prime contractor for the Italian Air Force’s C-27J and C-130J fleets and its ELT/577 QUIRIS system has been chosen to protect key helicopter platforms such as the AW249 attack helicopter and the HH- 101 helicopter.
With QUIRIS, the company aims to set a new benchmark in aircraft protection, offering a compact yet powerful safeguard for a wide variety of military platforms facing today’s increasingly sophisticated missile threats, standing ready to co-operate with Armed Forces above all in South Asia.
