ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., March 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $334 million contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure systems and support. The Northrop Grumman LAIRCM missile defense system automatically detects a missile launch, using real-time software to determine threat potential. If the missile is determined to be a danger, the system activates a high-intensity, laser-based countermeasure system to defeat the missile. Northrop Grumman is to begin immediate deliveries of LAIRCM hardware and provide associated support to the Air Force through April 2014, the company said. "Aircraft survivability equipment is essential to protecting our warfighting customers serving abroad," said Carl Smith, Northrop Grumman Corp. Land and Self Protection Systems Division infrared countermeasures programs vice president. This latest award is a continuation of our long term relationship with the U.S. Air Force and further demonstrates confidence in our battle proven AN/AAQ-24 (v) LAIRCM system. Northrop Grumman's various infrared countermeasure systems are installed or scheduled for installation on several hundred U.S. military aircraft.