While many at the show are concerned with getting aircraft up in the air, Shorts is demonstrating ways of bringing them down.

The British-based subsidiary of Bombardier is showing its Starburst close-air-defence missile system at the show.

The Starburst was used in Kuwait during the Gulf War and the UK MoD reported that the system outperformed requirements.

The Starburst has the latest-generation laser beam-riding guidance which provides a high hit probability and therefore greater short-range effectiveness against both high-speed attacking aircraft and helicopters.

The system consists of two parts: the missile sealed within its launching canister; and the aiming unit.

It can be provided as a shoulder-launch system for single firings or as a multi-round system with three missiles being mounted on a lightweight multiple launcher (LML) to provide increased firepower and enhanced tracking capability.

The shoulder-launch system attracted much attention during yesterday's flying display as it tracked the French Rafale included a Simrad Image Intensifier which provides enhanced capability in low light conditions.

 

Source: Flight Daily News