Introduction
One of the current threats to civil aviation remains attacks using man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). To effectively counter such threats, high-tech early missile launch detection and active countermeasures systems are needed. In response to this threat, under the "Development of a complex protection system for aeronautical equipment at Specimpex Kft." No. GINOP-2.1.2-8-1-4-16-2017-00048 project between 2018 and 2020, Specimpex Kft. has developed the Mirage system, which is designed to detect attacking missiles in time by the emission of the missile jet engine flame. Two prototypes of the system were produced and successfully tested.
Technical Aspects and Development Prospects
In the course of research work on the topic “System of detection of launch and movement of missiles of portable anti-aircraft missile systems” specialists of Specimpex Kft. carried out a set of research and development work on further development and improvement of the system “Mirage”. System Mirage is designed to detect the launch and movement of missiles of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).
The system is based on the principles of passive two-channel optoelectronic surveillance and performs radiometric detection of the missile engine, functioning in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges.
Previously, the implementation of countermeasures system “Mirage” threat was reduced to issuing a command to the aircraft regular on-board equipment to launch infrared flares/decoy flares on the right or left side, depending on the azimuth of the detected threat. However, the trends in the development of the market of modern protection means are such that the consumer is primarily interested in complex systems that provide, in addition to the detection of the threat, its suppression with the help of active means included in the system using the technology of direct infrared countermeasure (DIRCM - direct infrared countermeasure).
Illustration of DIRCM System Operation
1 – missile launch, identification by the detection system; 2 - effect of the active infrared radiation system on the missile's homing head; 3 - missile guidance system errors lead to target acquisition failure; 4 – missile loses its target; 5 - unguided flight of the missile to self-destruction
Examples include Northrop Grumman Guardian's AAQ-24 (V) Laircm Integrated Defense Suite, Miysis' Leonardo Defensive Aids Suite (DAS), and J-Music company’s Elbit systems'.
Analyzing the analogs of the Mirage system we found that the IR source of radiation is the critical part of the DIRCM system, and the probability of successful missile guidance suppression depends on it, since the DIRCM principle is based on the formation of a modulated infrared signal that interferes with the MANPADS missile's homing head, which leads to disruption of target acquisition by the head and to prevention of the defended aircraft from being hit.
A very important and rather difficult task is to modulate the radiation source in a way that it would provide effective countermeasures against missiles with homing heads.
As one of the directions of work on further improvement of the “Mirage” system, modernization of the infrared channel was chosen to achieve higher efficiency of its operation due to the use of differential method of radiation analysis in the infrared range of the spectrum.
Previous research has shown that interfacing the Mirage system with integrated active defense systems is possible by using directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) technology.
The possibility of integrating the Mirage system into a specific defense system using non-coherent directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) technology, the Kvadros KM-01VE, was considered, which would allow not only detection but also active suppression of the threat through directional modulated IR radiation.
Kvadros KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station
Information Field Generator with top and base removed
1 – control pulse generator unit; 2 – bottom contact; 3 – overlays; 4 – blister filter; 5 - valve cover plate; 6 – clamp; 7 – current supply; 8 – upper contact; 9 – valve; 10 – blister clips; 11 – condenser plate; 12 – drive motor
In the process of conducting work and analyzing the interaction between the Mirage system and the Kvadros KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station, the following main points were noted:
- in the scheme of generating an alarm signal to the Intercom line of the control panel and indication system “Mirage” forms a signal, the transfer of which to the “Kvadros” KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station will allow to transfer it from redundancy mode to a fully operational mode to display the immediate threat;
- activation of the “Kvadros” KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station from the Mirage control and indication panel will not change its normal operation;
- the possibility of harmonizing the operation of the Kvadros KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station and the Mirage system requires a full-scale experiment.
Kvadros KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station
Information Field Generator
1 – base; 2 – drive motor with rotator; 3 – bottom contact; 4 – cogwheel; 5 – bottom; 6 – protective cover; 7 – lock washer; 8 – emitter; 9 – current supply; 10 – upper contact; 11 – valve panel; 12 – upper mirror; 13 – focusing sector of the blister; 14 – modulator; 15 – focusing sector of the plate cylinder; 16 – lower mirror
The use of the “Mirage” system to control the switching on and off the redundancy mode as a reaction to changes in the environment can significantly increase the effectiveness of the “Kvadros” KM-01VE optoelectronic suppression station.
Conclusion
On the basis of the conducted research and the results of prototype tests, further work is being carried out to improve the Mirage system and to develop on its basis a complex that can be competitive in the market of countermeasures against MANPADS missiles in terms of its technical and economic performance.
The implementation of DIRCM technology combined with advanced detection algorithms will make it possible to increase significantly the effectiveness of defense against advanced MANPADS threats.
István Veres
Source:
AERO Magazin