Hungarian Air Force A319 VIP jets likely fitted with Bird AeroSystems DIRCM

The Bird AeroSystems defensive aids installation fitted to an A319 airliner (pictured here) of an undisclosed European operator. (Bird AeroSystems)

Bird AeroSystems has fitted its aircraft defensive aids system (DAS) for an undisclosed European A319 operator, likely the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF).

The Israeli company said on 27 March that its Self Protection Radar Electro-Optic System (SPREOS) directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) and Aeroshield Missile Protection System (AMPS) had been fitted to multiple A319 aircraft for an undisclosed customer to protect against surface-to-air missile threats.

“At the core of this project is the SPREOS, a patented DIRCM system for missile approach verification, tracking, and laser jamming,” the company said. “The installation also included Bird's versatile AMPS solution, designed for both military and civilian markets, providing complete protection against ground-to-air threats, including [manportable air-defence system] MANPADS attacks, for helicopters and VVIP aircraft for heads of states. Additionally, the installation of the AeroShield pod solution on the Airbus A319 aircraft was expanded to be installed also for Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft,” it added.

As noted in the announcement, these DAS installations are typically designed to be fitted aboard VVIP aircraft for heads of states, which are normally operated by air forces. While Bird AeroSystems did not disclose the customer, the A319 is used as a VVIP platform in Europe by the air forces of the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Imagery of the installation released by the company showed the aircraft to be devoid of any identifying markings, although the low-visibility paint scheme is consistent with that adopted by the HuAF, which operates two A319s. The HuAF also operates a pair of Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft, which were also referenced in the announcement.

According to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Air,