Protection of platforms

Within this article there are summaries of the AWiSS protection system and the FLASH (Flying Laser Self-Defence System Against Seeker-Head Missiles) protection system.

AWiSS

The AWiSS active protection system has been specifically designed for the protection of armored vehicles against shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles and guided missiles. Approaching projectiles are detected, tracked and engaged by a responsive, comprehensive 360° sensor system, which consists of a search-and-track radar, using blast/fragmentation grenades. The grenade is fired from a lightweight launcher, which can be aligned extremely rapidly in azimuth and elevation, in the direction of the approaching projectile and ignited so that the projectile is neutralized at safe distance from the vehicle. AWiSS can engage several approaching projectiles at very short intervals. The project is a research and technology demonstration program.

FLASH

FLASH (Flying Laser Self-Defence System Against Seeker Head Missiles) is a protection system for civil and military aircraft against approaching guided missiles. It operates in conjunction with a missile approach warning receiver and consists of the following components: UV/IR coarse tracker, laser fine tracker and destructive laser. The missile approach warner hands over the approaching missile identified as a threat to the passive UV/IR coarse tracker which measures the missile and hands it over to the active-laser fine tracker for precise tracking. This, in turn, cues the active destructive laser which finally blinds or destroys the approaching missile's seeker using high energy pulses. This is done within a very short time and at safe distance from the aircraft to be protected. With two FLASH systems, the complete airspace around an aircraft can be protected. In a next step, such a protection system will be developed by 2008.

Top of Page

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

DIEHL BGT Defence,