The British Ministry of Defense says a new airborne laser self-protection system has demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully neutralising 100% of targets during a live firing trial conducted in Sweden. This breakthrough signifies a major advancement in safeguarding RAF aircraft against missile threats. The laser system is intended for integration into a range of Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, including the Shadow R2 and the A400M transporter.
This state-of-the-art defence system operates through a two-stage process: threat detection and neutralisation. Initially, the Thales Elix-IR threat warning system, employing sophisticated algorithms, rapidly identifies and analyzes missile launches. Elix-IR leverages Medium Waveband IR technology to provide a more detailed and accurate understanding of the surrounding environment, even in low visibility conditions. This enables the system to differentiate between genuine threats and background noise, ensuring only legitimate threats are tracked and classified. This IR technology offers a significant advantage over traditional UV-based systems by providing greater detail, fidelity in clutter, and accuracy in threat identification. Elix-IR excels at detecting not only the launch of projectiles but also their in-flight trajectory, accurately pinpointing their origin. This comprehensive threat assessment capability extends to identifying and tracking both missiles and hostile fire projectiles at their maximum effective ranges. Additionally, the visual data provided by Elix-IR can be used to enhance the crew’s situational awareness, even in challenging visibility conditions.
Upon classifying a threat, the system activates Leonardo’s Miysis directed infrared countermeasure. Miysis, a multi-turret DIRCM system, swiftly focuses a jamming laser beam onto the incoming missile with pinpoint accuracy, effectively neutralizing the threat before it can reach its target. This laser-based system offers several advantages over traditional flare-based countermeasures. Unlike flares, which are limited in quantity, the laser can provide continuous protection throughout the mission. Modern MANPADS have evolved to distinguish flares from genuine heat sources, rendering flares less effective. Miysis overcomes this limitation by directly targeting the missile’s guidance system with a laser. This allows Miysis to provide protection even in dense threat engagement environments. With multiple turrets, Miysis can react to aircraft manoeuvres and engage multiple missiles that may be fired simultaneously.
The recent trial, held at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, saw the laser system successfully neutralize a barrage of infrared heat-seeking missiles launched concurrently, achieving a 100% success rate. The impressive results were observed by senior military officials from various NATO countries, hinting at potential international interest in the system.
This laser defence system is a product of a collaborative effort known as Team Pellonia, uniting Leonardo UK, Thales UK, and the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The system’s design prioritises adaptability, allowing for ongoing upgrades and enhancements to address evolving threats and maintain a strategic advantage for the UK and its allies.
Mark Stead, Leonardo’s Senior Vice-President of Radar and Advanced Targeting, praised the Miysis team for its outstanding leadership and technical expertise demonstrated during the trials. He highlighted Miysis DIRCM’s proven reliability and effectiveness, emphasizing its operational deployment on various platforms currently in service.
Stephen McCann, Thales’s Managing Director of Optronics & Missile Electronics UK, expressed immense pride in the team’s contributions to the successful trial. He underscored the Elix-IR system’s world-leading capabilities as a cutting-edge multi-function infrared threat warning system, solidifying its position as the UK Ministry of Defence’s preferred threat warning system
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