Infrared Countermeasure Techniques Against Imaging Seekers

NATO RTO SCI-192 research group on Advanced Electro-Optical Countermeasure Concepts focused on technical recommendations concerning countermeasure techniques against the emerging Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker technology. The approach involved evaluating and understanding the Infrared Counter Countermeasure (IRCCM) capabilities that can be applied in future IIR seekers, based on an assessment of missile seeker related hardware and software technology. A countermeasure strategy based on this analysis was proposed for field trials, using the Imaging Seeker Surrogate (ISS) hardware and using simulation software for preparation of the trials. In order to enable this both tools needed important modifications. The participation of SCI-192 in two consecutive EMBOW flare countermeasure trials, provided a good indication of the limitations of current countermeasures against imaging seekers. Experimental flare sequences based on the SCI-139 new countermeasure strategy were tested in a number of helicopter sorties specially dedicated to the ISS.