Missile warning and countermeasure systems in-flight testing by threat simulation and countermeasure analysis in the field

Abstract

Proliferation and technological progress of Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) sensors for Missile Warning Systems (MWS)^1,2 and increased sophistication of countermeasures require demanding in-flight testing. The IR sensors are becoming more sensitive for longer range of detection, the spatial resolution is improving for better target detection and identification, spectral discrimination is being introduced for lower False Alarm Rate (FAR), and the imaging frame rate is increasing for faster defensive reaction. As a result, testing a complex MWS/countermeasure system performance before deployment requires more realistic simulation of the threats in their natural backgrounds, and more accurate measurement of the radiometric output, directionality and time response of the countermeasures. Existing stimulator systems for MWS testing during R&D and production cannot reproduce the field conditions faithfully enough, so that it is possible to rely on them for the most sophisticated MWS' testing. CI has developed a unique integrated MWS/countermeasure test system for field use, composed of: i) high intensity dynamic Infrared Threat Stimulator (IRTS), based on large optics and high speed shutter for time dependent scenario construction and projection to several kilometers; ii) sensitive IR Jam Beam Radiometer (JBR) for countermeasure testing. The IRTS/JBR system tests the MWS/countermeasure combination: efficiency range, probability of detection, reaction time, and overall well functioning² can be determined in-flight through projection of threat profiles prepared in advance by the user, and through measurement of the countermeasure IR radiation output as function of time. Design, performance, and example of operation of the IRTS/JBR are described here.