Citadel Completions (Booth 2571) and Elbit Systems announced a marketing collaboration on Monday at NBAA-BACE to promote installations of Elbit’s Music family of IR Countermeasure systems aboard VIP aircraft in the Americas. The collaboration will leverage Citadel’s modification and MRO expertise to grow the VIP market for Elbit’s Music family of airborne laser Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) self-protection systems, designed for narrow and widebody airliners.

“We are proud of this tremendous opportunity to work closely with the incredible team at Elbit Systems to offer VIP aircraft owners in the Americas with self-protection capabilities,” said Joe Bonita, managing director of Citadel Completions.

The Elbit agreement follows Citadel’s recently announced collaboration with L3Harris Technologies to provide advanced commercial-class aircraft modification services.

Elbit’s Music DIRCMs are available in three configurations: C-Music for the protection of civil and VIP large jets; J-Music for heavy transporters, tankers, and VIP jets; and Mini-Music for small and medium rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

BACE, where Citadel is hosting Elbit Systems at its display, marks the first time Citadel and Elbit Systems have marketed together at an event. Full-scale mockups of the C-Music and Mini-Music are at Citadel’s booth, along with representatives from both companies.

Developed more than a decade ago, Elbit’s DIRCM systems protect against shoulder-launched heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles and their reliability has been proven in live-fire tests. The Israeli Government has installed Music DIRCM systems on the fleets of its three commercial carriers (El Al, Arkia, and Israir), and the systems have been installed on additional dozens of customers worldwide, including more than a dozen bizliners. 

Citadel Completions recently installed Elbit’s C-Music onboard an ACJ340 at its MRO and completions facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and is currently obtaining a supplemental type certificate for installation of the system on a privately-owned VIP B767. With extensive experience on multiple OEM platforms, the Citadel facility is equipped for complex aircraft modifications and VIP completions, as well as MRO for narrow and widebody platforms, with hangar and ramp space to accommodate multiple aircraft programs.

“With this mature and tested airborne laser technology, owners of VIP aircraft now have the opportunity to improve protection while flying across the globe,” said Oren Sabag, co-general manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW. “We believe that the collaboration with Citadel Completions will facilitate an effective introduction of such an advanced capability to the VIP aircraft market.”

Meanwhile, under Citadel’s agreement with L3Harris, the companies will team to provide a complete range of advanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial aircraft, taking advantage of Citadel’s interior completion capabilities and L3Harris’s engineering and certification expertise. The combination will “bring a powerhouse of leadership, experience, and ability not only to our VIP interior completions customers, but to a wider range of commercial aviation customers who require a broad spectrum of services,” said Bonita.

Added David Coody, L3Harris director of strategic business operations of aviation services, “The combination creates an appealing value for customers by providing high quality, safe and airworthy modifications, and efficient scheduling.”