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Aviation History
2004
2004-05 - 0024.PDF
DEFENCE SELF-PROTECTION CRAIG HOYLE / ULM Flash to shield transport aircraft European collaborative venture develops twin-laser system, also suitable for helicopters, to repel heat-seeking missiles First details have been released of a new self-protection system under development for use by large trans port aircraft and helicopters. Dubbed the flying laser self-protec tion system against heat-seeking missiles, or Flash, the design is the result of a collaborative company- funded venture between Diehl Munitionssysteme, EADS Defence Electronics and Thales. The turret-housed Flash uses a tracking laser to autonomously detect and illuminate an incoming infrared-guided missile, following its initial identification by the host aircraft's missile warning systems. Once tracking the threat, the sys tem activates a second laser to jam, blind and damage sensors within the missile seeker by using repeated bursts of high-powered infrared energy. Airbus Military's A400M trans port is a potential host platform for the new directed infrared counter- measures system, which is also intended for use with other wide- bodied aircraft and large helicopters. Two turrets are required to provide full spherical coverage against mis sile threats, says EADS. Benefits of the new design include its low false- alarm rate and the removal of safety issues associated with the deploy ment of flares, it says. The twin-laser system has already undergone limited ground testing against missile seekers, and is awaiting approval later this year to advance under a collaborative contract to be concluded with France's DGA procurement agency and its German counterpart, the BWB. While noting that the Flash system's turret design is fairly mature, EADS concedes: "We have a long way to go to get a fieldable system." The next project phase is expected to focus on reducing the turret's size and reducing the sys tem's current high cost. EADS calculates that more than 40% of current anti-air missiles use infrared guidance, and says short- range heat-seeking man-portable sur face-to-air missile systems pose the greatest threat to aircraft. This assess ment is supported by recent missile launches which resulted in damage to US Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Boeing C-17 transport airaaft taking off from Baghdad Inter national airport in Iraq. HELICOPTERS Bulgaria near upgrade deal Bulgaria will next month select a contractor to bring at least 36 Mil Mi-17 utility and Mi-24 assault helicopters up to NATO stan dards, says defence minister Nikolai Svinarov. BAE Systems of the UK is competing with Denel of South Africa to meet the $200 million requirement, along with teams comprising Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin, and Israel Aircraft Industries and EADS. The contenders hope that suc cess could lead to follow-on deals to modernise another 106 aircraft for the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. MANOEUVRES 'Cope India' exercise with the USAF takes off The Indian and US air forces will conclude a 10-day joint air combat exercise involving more than 30 strike air craft on 25 February, bringing to an end the services' largest bilateral manoeuvres in more than 40 years. "Cope lndia-04" started on 16 February at Gwaliorair base in central India. The US Air Force has deployed six Boeing F-15C fighters to the facility from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, along with one Lockheed C-S Galaxy and one Lockheed Martin C-130 transport aircraft. The Indian air force has assigned 25 aircraft to the manoeu vres, comprising Sukhoi Su-30, MiG-21bis, MiG-27, MiG- 29 and Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters. The exercise will involve around 150 US and 300 Indian personnel. The Indian air force's Sqn Ldr Mahesh Upasni says the Cope India exercise will focus on joint combat operations and the protection of high-value airborne assets. Planned operations also include target intercepts and low- and high-altitude dissimilar air combat training missions, which are intended to boost the services' mutual under standing of operational flying procedures. CARRIERS France's diesel decision carves channel for co-operation with UK France's decision to use conven tional diesel power for its second air craft carrier will meet operational requirements and open the way for increased co-operation with the UK, says President Jacques Chirac. The French defence ministry says co-operation will be possible between the French project and the UK Royal Navy's Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) procurement, since the vessels will meet similar mili tary needs, be operational around the same time and boost interoper ability while supporting European Union or NATO operations. France's second aircraft carrier will have a displacement of around 58,000t, making it larger than the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle. Expected to receive main gate approval in April or May, the UK's CVF project will lead to the deliv ery of two vessels of around 50,000t from 2012. Thales UK, which is partnered with BAE Systems in delivering the CVF capability, says a collaborative three-ship project with France would offer substantial benefits, by reducing support costs and elimi nating non-recurring expenditure during the development phase. Industry observers say Thales has pledged to supply France's new ship for less than €2 billion ($2.5 billion), including research and development, although it has yet to be named prime contractor on the project. Guy Teissier, president of France's parliamentary defence commission, notes that this figure does not include the cost of provid ing a new tanker vessel to refuel the carrier at sea. Preliminary study contracts for the French programme should be notified before the end of this year, with a principal construction con tract to be awarded in 2006. Construction is expected to end in 2012-14. ZZ 24 FEBRUARY-1 MARCH 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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