Israel Military Industries has developed a new spectral flare that increases the survivability of combat helicopters in danger zones.
Smaller and lighter than flares now in use, the new product enables a helicopter to carry a larger number, allowing a longer safe flight in danger zones. IMI says the flare, initially tailored for use on Israeli air force Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters, is effective against "advanced threats".
The Israeli air force uses its Cobra helicopters in missions over the Gaza strip where Hamas guerillas are equipped with shoulder-launched heat-seeking missiles.
In 2010, IMI partnered with Esterline Defense Technologies to produce and market IMI's new advanced covert flares in the USA. These countermeasure decoy flares provide protection against various infrared guided missile threats at both low and high altitudes.
Esterline is an established supplier to the US government, so the agreement gives IMI US market access.
IMI is also manufacturing a "dark flare", which is invisible to the human eye and was developed as part of an anti-missile system for passenger aircraft.
Source: Flight International