Infrared countermeasure

Owing to its portable size, MANPADS missiles have a limited range, and a burn time of a few seconds from launch to extinguishing.

In one example, hot flares or chaff are released from the aircraft to confuse the infrared or radar system of the launched missile.

In one example, light energy emitted by non-coherent flashlamps is directed toward the missile sensors, to confuse them and render them ineffective ("jamming").

The lethality and proliferation of IR surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) was demonstrated during the Desert Storm conflict, as approximately 80% of US fixed-wing aircraft losses in Desert Storm were from ground-based, Iraqi defensive systems using IR SAMS.

According to a 1997 CIA Report, MANPADS have proliferated worldwide, accounting for over 400 casualties in 27 incidents involving civil aircraft over the previous 19 years.

This proliferation has forced air mobility planners to frequently select less than optimal mission routes due to lack of defensive systems on airlift aircraft.

By modulating the signal, the steering logic can tell where the infrared source of energy is relative to the missile direction of flight.

Once an infrared seeker breaks lock (they typically have a field of view of 1–2 degrees), they rarely reacquire the target.

Countermeasure success depends on a threat's tracking techniques and requires a proper analysis of the missile's capabilities.

Israel has announced a program to develop a system called Multi Spectral Infrared Countermeasure (MUSIC) that will similarly use active lasers instead of flares to protect civilian aircraft against MANPADs.

[3] The Department of the Navy Large Aircraft Countermeasures (DoN LAIRCM) by Northrop Grumman provides infrared threat protection for U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E, CH-46E and CH-53D platforms.

At IDEX 2013, Finmeccanica Company, Selex ES launched its Miysis DIRCM, suitable for all airborne platforms, rotary and fixed wing, large and small.

Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) is a laser-based IR countermeasure against current and future IR threat systems for the US Army rotorcraft and fixed wing platforms and US Navy and US Air Force rotorcraft platforms.