Assessment of the Performance of a New Decoy Dispenser Pod Against Second-Generation IR MANPADS

In order to improve aircraft self protection against second-generation Infrared (IR) Man-Portable Air- Defence Systems (MANPADS), which could be widely proliferated in modern theatres of operation, a decoy dispenser pod may be fitted. This pod could have the capability of firing IR decoy Countermeasure (CM) flares in a forwards direction in an attempt to overcome the 'track angle bias' counter-countermeasure (CCM) technique which may be used on missiles of this types. In this paper, two different CM flares have been considered, namely the standard flare and the propelled flare. Consideration has also been given to multiple flare firings with investigation into the timing interval required between firings. The results show a general ineffectiveness of the standard flares because of the high separation rate of this type of flare from the aircraft. It is also shown that complete platform self protection can be achieved with the propelled flare during crossing engagements due to the aerodynamic design and the thrust profile of the flare. A further investigation has demonstrated the best evasive manoeuvres that can be conducted by the aircraft after having released the countermeasures.