Electronic Warfare: Phased Approach to Infrared Upgrades Would Reduce Risk to Helicopters

摘要

To survive against infrared guided (or 'heat-seeking') missiles on the modem battlefield, Army helicopters require infrared countermeasure systems. However, the Army's currently fielded infrared countermeasure systems are rapidly becoming inadequate to ensure survival against newer generations of heat-seeking missiles. To address this problem, the Army is acquiring a new set of countermeasure systems, referred to as the Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures, with fielding scheduled to begin in 2003. As you requested, we reviewed the Army's acquisition strategy for this equipment to determine whether the strategy satisfies the infrared countermeasure requirements of the Army's helicopters. Heat-seeking missiles operate on the principle that an aircraft emits more infrared energy (heat) than the surrounding environment. The missile's heat-seeking sensor detects the heat emitted by the aircraft and guides the missile toward the target by following the heat. The Army currently has two types of infrared countermeasure systems fielded to defend its helicopters from heat-seeking missiles. The first type seeks to decoy the missile away from the aircraft by providing alternative heat sources for the missile to follow. This is accomplished by using a missile warning system, which detects approaching missiles and signals countermeasure dispensers on the aircraft to launch flares that bum at high temperatures: The second type of countermeasure system involves directing an infrared energy beam toward the missile to try to confuse its heat-seeking sensor. An onboard device called an infrared jammer produces the energy and then directs it at the incoming missile.