Lockheed Martin company Sanders is developing a directed infra-red countermeasures system for tactical aircraft. The TADIRCM is a derivative of the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system under development for US Army, Air Force and Navy helicopters and transports, and would be linked to an advanced version of the common missile-warning system (CMWS) under development to cue the ATIRCM turret.
Advanced development of the TADIRCM is being funded by the US Navy, for eventual use on the Boeing F/A-18E/F. Whereas the ATRICM has a turret housing lamp and laser jammers, the TADIRCM is a laser-only system which has a smaller gimballed jammer under a faceted dome.
To cue the TADIRCM, Sanders is developing a variant of the CMWS, using a two-colour infra-red sensor in place of the ultra-violet detector, to improve clutter rejection. The CMWS will provide missile warning on a range of aircraft, including fighters.
Engineering and manufacturing development of the TADIRCM is expected to begin around 2000. The system will be about 60% common with the ATIRCM, flight testing of which is to begin in 1998. Testing of the CMWS is also scheduled to begin in 1998, Sanders says. Production of the CMWS is to begin in 1999, and of the ATIRCM in 2001.
Lockheed Martin Sanders and ITT will deliver the first complete Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) radio- frequency countermeasures subsystem to Boeing early in 1998. Testing on the F/A-18E/F is to begin at the end of 1998. The subsystem consists of a techniques generator and fibre-optic towed decoy.
Sanders is also under contract to supply the IDECM subsystem for the Rockwell B-1B and Lockheed U-2. Applications on the Boeing F-15 and Lockheed Martin F-16 and C-130 are under study. Production is to begin in 1999. Sanders has been approved to export the towed-decoy system, and expects a sale by the end of the decade.
Source: Flight International
