The new SPREOS combines a radar based sensor (verification) and an active laser (DIRCM), and provides enhanced protection against the immediate threat of Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).
“We at BIRD see a great potential to this very unique and patented DIRCM solution” said Ronen Factor, Co-CEO “we believe our SPREOS unique combination of radar and laser technology provides potential customers with the most advanced DIRCM solution. SPREOS, will provide customer with cutting edge technology with the a very attractive price tag that will help the market to easily adapt the DIRCM concept”
ird Aerosystems’ DIRCM unveiled at Eurosatory yesterday complements the company’s existing Airborne Missile a Protection System (AMPS), applying flare countermeasures.
Once the countermeasure game plan is selected the SPREOS employs a dual-band laser effector embedded into the radar antenna to deliver an appropriate, directional IR jamming signal to deceive the target’s seeker. Since the system’s radar continuously tracks the target, the effectiveness of the countermeasures employed is constantly assessed in real time, thus enabling the defense system to employ scalable defenses along the engagement. Throughout the process, the system’s AAR-60 sensors continue to watch out for new threats and could engage them with more traditional flares, if such countermeasures are available on board.
According to Shaul Mazor, Bird’s VP Marketing and Business Development, the new system is a ‘game changer’ in the market, due to its inherent false alarm rejection capability, ensuring enhanced protection of aircrafts against any type of MANPADS launch, with zero activation as a result of false alarms. “We developed the SPREOS based on the vast experience BIRD gained in hundreds of projects that have already been implemented in recent years.” Mazor added, saying the new system, currently in advanced phase of development would be more affordable, than current laser based DIRCMS, enabling more platforms, both military, paramilitary and civilian, to be protected by Bird’s the new lifesaving system.
AMPS – Airborne Missile Protection System
The Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) family of solutions is provided in cooperation with AIRBUS Defence and Space. The system has been expressly designed to provide complete protection against all known Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) including the most deadly type – the MANPADS (Man Portable Shoulder Launched Missile).
AMPS automatically works as follows:
1. Detects a missile threat.
2. Processes and optimizes the countermeasure programs.
3. Provides visual and audio alerts to the crew.
4. Initiates the appropriate countermeasure decoys.
• AMPS-M Protects military and civil aircraft against Shoulder Launched Missiles (MANPADS).
• AMPS-MV Protects civil aircraft against MANPADS attacks using an adaptation of the AMPS system
• AMPS-ML Protects aircraft against MANPADS and Laser Beam Rider threats (LRF, LTD, LBR)
• AMPS- MLR Protects against MANPADS, Laser Beam Rider threats in addition to radar guided missiles and Radar controlled guns
SOURCE – Bird Aerosystems
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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