BIRD Aerosystems, a provider of defense and airborne protection technology, has obtained a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) featuring the SPREOS Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system. The certification, granted under the oversight of the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI), enables the Airbus A319 aircraft equipped with BIRD’s system to operate globally with full regulatory compliance.
The approval process involved comprehensive system integration, flight testing, and a safety demonstration, all of which were validated by the CAAI. BIRD Aerosystems met the necessary regulatory requirements, successfully completing rigorous evaluations of the system’s design, manufacturing, and installation.
With this certification, Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with the AMPS and SPREOS DIRCM can now operate without restrictions, expanding the system’s applicability beyond military use to high-profile civil aviation, including head-of-state and high-value commercial aircraft.
Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer of BIRD Aerosystems, described the STC approval as a “significant achievement,” highlighting the company’s expertise in airborne defense technology:
“This certification validates the safety and effectiveness of our advanced airborne missile protection solutions and highlights our commitment to providing innovative defense technologies for aircraft operating in high-threat environments,” Factor stated.
The SPREOS DIRCM system, central to the AMPS solution, is designed to detect, track and counter missile threats while minimizing false alarms. It integrates with various missile warning systems to provide enhanced protection against Man-Portable Air Defense Systems. The broader AMPS suite offers defense capabilities for helicopters, transport aircraft and VVIP aircraft.
