Threat Independent Protection System

Christer ZätterqvistOctober 18 2010M-00015364 issue A

An active countermeasure system for helicopter applications

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The objective

Complete the mission objectivesAchieve the same amount of landings as take-offs…Survivability• Increased Aircraft Combat Survivability (PS)

• Susceptibility to threats (PH)

• Maximizing PS = 1 - PHPK|H (1- Susceptibility * Vulnerability)

• Increased likelihood for mission success

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The problem

A plethora of threats• Small arms• IR• IR imaging• RF• Laser• Multi-mode• CLOS

• LLTV• Wire• Radio

• Unguided• AIED• …

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Known threats

MANPADS (SA-7, SA-14, SA-16, SA-18, Stinger, Mistral, HN-5, FN-6)IR AAM (AIM-9, AIM-132, IRIS-T, AA-8, AA-11)IR SAM (SA-9, SA-13)RF AAM (AIM-7, AIM-120, AA-9, AA-12)RF SAM (Command typ, SA-2, SA-3, SA-4, SA-5, SA-6, SA-8, SA-10, SA-15)IR/RF AAM (also IR/SARH Semi Active Radar Homing, AA-2, AA-6, AA-7, AA-10CLOS (LLTV, Wire (RBS56, Bill), Radar (RBS23, Bamse), RadioBeam riders (RBS70/90, Starstreak)AT/RPG (AT4, Carl Gustav, RPG-7)

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MANPADSgen. 1

IR AAMgen. 1

IR SAM

RF AAM

RF SAMCLOS

BR

AT/RPG

IR/SARH AAMMANPADS

gen. 2

MANPADSgen. 3

MANPADSgen. 4

IR AAMgen. 3

IR AAMgen. 2

Difficulty to decoy

Thre

at te

chno

logy

IR AAMgen. 4

Decoys possible Non-decoy technology required

Current capability

Known threats

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MANPADS

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Less known or emerging threats

AIED• Known attacks using AIED• Envisioned to become more and more used as consumer electronics

becomes more and more capable, sample components;

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AIED

Difficulty to decoy

Thre

at te

chno

logy

AIED

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AIED, a design example

Verbal description

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The problem in a nutshell

A plethora of existing and emerging threatsLimited knowledge of installed seeker/guidance technologyUnguided threats do not respond to decoysProliferation of developed weaponsDevelopment trend of consumer electronics

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Downed helicopters in Iraq 1

68 helicopters lost to insurgent fire, resulting in 201 fatalities

[1] Source; The Brookings Institution, Iraq Index October 1, 2007

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Actions

Preventive / Tactical• Arms control• Port and border security

Tactics • Flying tactics and operating procedures • Speed / altitude• Situational awareness• ConOps

Technical• Hardening of structure• Ruggedized airframe• Blast protection• Signature reduction• System redundancy• Countermeasures

Survivability = 1- (Susceptibility * Vulnerability)

Layers of protection

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Analysis, threat matrix

Analysis of common threat characteristics• Highly transportable• Designed to fly…• On-board propellant• Similar physical attributes• Similar kinetic energy

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Analysis, proliferated threats

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Result of analysis

A CMDS is needed to address the plethora of current, emerging and future threatsUse knowledge of common threat characteristics

No such system exists today for flying platforms

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TIPS, the idea

To physically counter incoming threats regardless of guidance technology, if at all present....

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Threat characteristics

Counter threats with the following characteristics• Portable by a single person• Speed: 84 – 600 m/s• Mass: 1,9 – 10,8 kg• Body/warhead diameter: 4 – 10,5 cm• Altitude: 0 – 3500 m• Range to shooter: xx – 5000 m

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Threat characteristics

Threats smaller than 4 cm = HFI• Angle/sector indication• Range indication

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TIPS, one system – all threats

System functions• Detect• Launch• Intercept• Defeat

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TIPS, one system – all threats

System functions• Detect

• Radar• Short range• High resolution• 360° coverage• Installed on the platform

• Launch• Intercept• Defeat

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TIPS, one system – all threats

System functions• Detect• Launch

• A directional launcher• Azimuth and elevation• Directed towards the incoming threat• Launch of counter-projectile• Sector inhibit function

• Intercept• Defeat

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TIPS, one system – all threats

System functions• Detect• Launch• Intercept

• Counter Projectile• Short range• Guided towards the incoming threat using own platform

guidance data• Defeat

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TIPS, one system – all threats

System functions• Detect• Launch• Intercept• Defeat

• Defeat mechanism• The threat defeat mechanism is activated at a suitable

distance from the incoming threat• Remote or proximity activated• Preferably non-explosive

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TIPS system building blocks

ADC

Display

Launcher

SPU

Radar sensor

Radar sensor

Radar sensor

Radar sensor

Sensor Controller

Counter Projectile(s)

Datalink

Discrete signal

Wireless datalink

Wireless Transceiver

TDCU Tactical Display & Control Unit

ADC Active Defense Controller

SPU Safety Pin Unit

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TIPS system building blocks

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TIPS connected to existing CMDS

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Simulation

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Sample installation, Super Puma

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Conclusion

Investigation shows it is possible to develop a system capable of defeating targeted threatsWill affect platform ConOpsDevelopment cost is significant

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Questions?