Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
Proliferation of anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and the integration of sensors and processors to low-altitude missile systems are increasing threats to military helicopters. Short-range, man-portable, air-defence missiles, however, remain the primary threat to US helicopters, according to US Army director of foreign intelligence Col Jan Karcz.
He says that there has been "a revolution in information processing and sensor integration regarding air-defence fire-control systems". Several nations manufacture hand-held air-defence missile systems that can be networked, giving four or five gunners a shot at downing the same helicopter.
To make matters worse, upgraded processors allow better and faster acquisition of targets like attack helicopters.
Other AAA advances include millimetre-wave trackers and low-probability of intercept radars able to defeat US radar warning devices. "For the first time, some helicopter pilots won't know they are being acquired until they are being shot down," he says.
Karcz says that the Swiss Skyshield gun system "is perhaps the best system in the world today". It can engage at a range of 4km (2nm)and is able to track 20 aircraft. It employs sensor fusion, a search-and-track radar and a laser rangefinder. A Chinese version - the Type 902, few of which have been built- adds a missile to the weapon. Russia, meanwhile, has sold its Tungaska 2S6 30mm system to India and others.
Over 30 different man-portable air-defence missiles are deployed worldwide, including Russia's advanced KBM SA-18 Grouse (9M39/Igla), while older weapons are being upgraded with modern night-vision devices and thermal imagers. Karcz is also worried about anti-helicopter mines developed by several countries, that employ acoustics and infrared sensors to hit helicopters up to 660ft (200m) above the battlefield.
• The US Army cannot determine the cause of a Boeing AH-64A attack helicopter fatal crash on 5 May, 1999, in Albania. The probe has been closed with an undetermined cause due to the degree of damage. The AH-64 was leading five aircraft in mountainous terrain when its nose pitched up and it rolled to the right, hitting the ground, killing the two crew.
Source: Flight International
