El Op’s Music directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system will be tested on an airborne platform in the second half of next year. The Israeli company has managed to downsize the turret of the laser jammer system, which will facilitate its installation on commercial aircraft to provide protection against shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles.
The multi-spectral infrared countermeasures (Music) system is based on a unique fibre laser, which allows the laser generator to be carried in the cargo bay of the aircraft. This enables use of an external turret that is much smaller than in conventional DIRCM systems because it houses only the targeting sensor and the tip of the fibre emitting the laser jamming signal.
El Op chief scientist Dr Gabby Sarusi says the technology is ready and will allow the company to develop other electro-optical warfare (EOW) systems. Music is an automated system, which detects, acquires, tracks and counters an incoming man-portable air defence missile without the need for pilot intervention. By directing a narrow laser beam towards the missile and jamming its guidance system, Music is designed to cause the missile to veer off course.
El Op intends to test a version with a more powerful laser generator. The added power will allow it to jam missiles with imaging seekers. Current DIRCM systems can divert only earlier-generation missiles with man-imaging infrared seekers.
ARIE EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
