Picture of F18 Kilgore aircrafts

Chemring was increasing its presence in the United States, and in September 1993, it completed its first US acquisition. Alloy Surfaces Company Inc had developed a new pyrophoric material which was a covert area decoy particularly suitable for the new rapid reaction requirements for the military involving helicopters and transport aircraft.

In 2001 Chemring became the largest provider of decoys to the US Department of Defence through its acquisition of Kilgore Flares Company LLC, a manufacturer of conventional magnesium flares.