Aircraft Survivability

Army, Oct 2004

The Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure (ATIRCM) is a U.S. Army program to develop, test and integrate defensive infrared (IR) countermeasures capabilities into existing, current generation host platforms for more effective protection against a greater number of IR-guided missile threats than afforded by currently fielded IR countermeasures. The U.S. Army operational requirements concept for IR countermeasure systems is known as the suite of integrated infrared countermeasures (SIIRCM). It is an integrated warning and countermeasure system to enhance aircraft survivability against IR-guided threat missile systems. The core element of the SIIRCM concept is the advanced threat infrared countermeasure (ATIRCM), common missile warning system (CMWS) program. The ATIRCM/ CMWS, a subsystem to a host aircraft, is an integrated ultraviolet (UV) missile warning system and an IR lamp/laser jamming and improved countermeasure dispenser (ICMD).

The CMWS also functions as a standalone system with the capability to detect missiles and provide audible and visual warnings to the pilot(s); and, when installed with the ICMD, activates expendables to provide a degree of protection. ATIRCM/CMWS is the key IR survivability system for Future Force Army aircraft.

The A-kit is the modification hardware, wiring harness, cable and more that is necessary to install and interface the ATIRCM/CMWS mission kit to each platform. The A-kit ensures the mission kit is functionally and physically operational on the host platform.

The mission kit consists of the ATIRCM/ CMWS, which performs the missile detection, false alarm rejection and missile declaration functions of the system. The electronic control unit (ECU) of the CMWS sends a missile alert signal to on-board avionics and other aircraft survivability equipment (ASE), such as expendable flare dispensers. Threat missiles detected by the CMWS are handed over to the ATIRCM.

The Aircraft Survivability Equipment Trainer IV (ASET IV) is designed to provide aviation with a realistic force-on-force training device to train on equipment and tactics on rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. The threat emitters exercise aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) and monitor the pilot's reaction in day/night training scenarios. A module, consisting of six threat simulator vehicle types, represents an integrated air defense threat. Eight production modules have been fielded and are being updated to activate additional ASE items as new systems are developed, furthering the Army doctrine of "train as you would fight." This system supports the Current to Future Force transition path of the Transformation Campaign Plan (TCP) and joint forces training.

The AN/AVR-2B is a passive threat laser warning system that alerts the aircrew that they are being targeted by threat forces, allowing the aircrew to engage the target or maneuver to break the targeting. These systems support the Current to Future Force transition path of the Transformation Campaign Plan (TCP).

The suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC) is a lightweight, modular, reprogrammable and reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) self-protection system that has been designated the AN/ALQ-211(V). SIRFC's radar warning receiver's (RWR) capabilities enhance situational awareness through detection, identification and geolocation of a multitude of search and fire-control radars. SIRFC is designed to be effective against pulse, pulse Doppler, coherent and continuous wave threat emitters. Electronic countermeasure (ECM) functionality may be added to ensure optimum protection for the host aircraft and crew. SIRFC's modularity allows tailoring of the system configuration to meet application and/or mission requirements, and may be incorporated on both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.