Modeling fast jet infrared countermeasures: Pseudo-imaging seekers with an ultraviolet guard band

Abstract

In 2012, a study looking back 35 years indicated that 90% of all aircraft losses in battle were caused by infrared (IR) guided missiles. Man portable air defense systems are a cheap and prolific resource for both state and non-state actors that enables the employment of IR guided missiles. As such, significant time is required to be invested in developing effective countermeasures to ensure a fast jet can attain and sustain air superiority in operations. This article will provide a summary of the thesis by Glover (Glover AX. Electro-optic countermeasure modelling in a fast jet environment: rosette scanning seekers with an ultraviolet guard band. Thesis, Cranfield University, 2019) that aimed to develop a myriad of IR-based countermeasure techniques. Specifically, when pseudo imaging, a rosette scan IR seeker is employed against a fast jet with an ultraviolet guard band counter-countermeasure. A series of seven trials was simulated using Chemring’s CounterSim program to produce a spread of results based on the developed technique’s effectiveness. Several of these trials produced outcomes with a probability of escaping hit greater than 97% across a range of altitudes. The successful techniques involve an assortment of concepts, including employment of spectral flares, aircraft maneuvering, multi-flare patterns, and the notion of masking.