Stewart Penney/LONDON
The UK's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) has turned to the World War 1 smoke screen in an effort to protect airfields and strategic targets from attacks using laser guided bombs (LGBs).
The Large Area Smoke Screen (LASS) is a lightweight system that can generate smoke to obscure large areas rapidly without the need to fire artillery shells.
Paul Winstanley, DERA business group manager, electro-optical countermeasures, says LASS would not prevent an LGB from hitting the airfield but it could force the aim off so that the bomb lands in a harmless area. Last year's Operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia demonstrated the effect on LGB performance when the target is obscured.
Typically, he says, the LASS would be linked to a laser warning system that would detect a laser designator aimed at the airfield.
Alternatively, the system could be linked to a radar which would warn of missile attack - LASS would be effective against weapons that use electro-optical sensors for terminal guidance. It can cover 4km² (1.5 miles²) in 3min, and four to six units could obscure an airfield in 5-20s, Winstanley adds.
LASS is based around a small gas turbine. A fluid based on vegetable oil is injected into the hot exhaust to produce the smoke. Conventional systems use phosphorous and other hazardous substances. Unlike such smoke screens, LASS can produce continuous smoke, using 50-55litre/h (13-14.5USgal/h) of fuel. The system can simultaneously distribute different smoke to confuse visual spectrum and infrared (IR)sensors. LASS can also hinder surveillance using thermal-imaging systems.
The first demonstration will be in Abu Dhabi during IDEX in March next year, says Winstanley. The Middle East and Nordic nations are potential markets.
DERA owns the design rights for LASS but has licensed the design to Somerwest Technical Services, part of GKN.
Source: Flight International
