SPECIAL REPORT: ADVANCED MISSILE WARNING SYSTEMS FOR MILITARY FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
There is no question when you start passing MANPADS around, that becomes a threat, not just to military aircraft but to civilian aircraft
jamming systems to meet the size, weight, and power requirements of rotary-wing and light fixed-wing platforms and is also compatible with BAE Systems’ field-proven Common Missile Warning System, already deployed on most of the US Army’s rotary-wing fleet. It uses also flightproven hardware and algorithms tested at BAE Systems’ advanced flight simulation laboratory to combat existing and future threats.10 Pithily, Bill Staib, Director of BAE Systems Survivability & Targeting Solutions Business summed up the BAE’s corporate philosophy, which in turn justifies Missile Warning Systems: “Our motto is ‘We Protect Those Who Protect Us’”.11
Protecting US Forces from MANPADS Following through from the 2012 contract for Boldstroke, BAE Systems announced the variant Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system to protect helicopters and crews from shoulder-fired weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan. “With the latest plans that the ATIRCM system will be in the field until at least 2023, we know the significance of continuing to fund the types of technology that make for easy capability upgrades,” said Terry Crimmins, vice president and general manager of BAE System’s Survivability and Targeting Systems.12 Boldstroke works by the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), which can cue either ATIRCM’s laser response or a flare dispenser. These heat-seeking missiles home in on the infrared energy generated by the heat of an aircraft’s engine, making helicopters ideal
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targets. ATIRCM was designed as the countering component of an integrated suite, which includes, its “eyes,” the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS).
Third Generation Missile Warning System from BAE Systems To reassure British forces that the most recent missile warning systems are in use, at the end of May 2014 the British government signed a contract with BAE Systems for the latest generation system. The “Gen 3” system combines hostile-fire indication, missile warning and data recording capability into a single unit. The system protects against infrared missile threats; with the addition of hostile-fire indication, it enables helicopter crews to detect and avoid small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Earlier generations of BAE’s CMWS have nearly a decade of combat experience. In January, the company announced a $39 million contract from the U.S. Army for 300 Gen 3 units, bringing its overall procurement of third-generation systems to 1,300. In-theatre installations started immediately on Army Apache, Kiowa and Black Hawk helicopters in Afghanistan. The January order was the first of a proposed $496 million indefinite-delivery, indefinitequantity contract from the Army. The deal was marked by a statement by the British minister of defense for equipment, support and technology, Philip Dunne, he said: “The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing battle-winning technology to our military.”13