Northrop Grumman announced it has been selected to supply its latest infrared missile protection system to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The system -- the directional infrared countermeasures system -- will be used to protect the RCAF's fleet of CH-147 Chinook helicopters, the company said, but details as to the number of units to be delivered, their delivery date and the value of the contract were not disclosed.

CH-147 is the Canadian designation for Boeing's CH-47 cargo aircraft.

"Battle-tested in the harshest conditions and in use around the world, Northrop Grumman's infrared counter-measure systems have been protecting warfighters for more than 50 years," said Carl Smith, vice president, infrared countermeasures, Northrop Grumman. "This mature system will give the Royal Canadian Air Force the ability to provide advanced protection against growing threats."

Northrop Grumman's DIRCM automatically detects a missile launch, determines if it is a threat and if so activates a high-intensity, laser-based counter-measure system to track the missile and interfere with its guidance system.

More than 1,000 military aircraft worldwide as using -- or will receive under current sales contracts -- Northrop Grumman's various infrared counter-measure systems, the company said.

The technologies used by the systems were developed by Northrop Grumman and Selex ES.