Threat Reaction

Threat Reaction is a part of the wider Self Protection Task and logically follows the Threat Alarm/Warning Task.
The Threat Alarm/Warning Task performs the detection, identification and warning of the threat and cues the Threat Reaction that performs the countermeasure (Electronic Counter Measures, ECM).
ECM is key for operations in the future battlespace; it assures the survivability and self-protection of the platform, operating in the RF and EO/IR domains.
Self-Protection Task is performed by equipment included in the Self-Protection Suite (SPS) that is installed in the platform to be defended:

• RF field (Radar ECM, RECM):
  • Electronic Jammers, aiming to impair the effectiveness of enemy radars
  • Deception Jammers, aiming to confuse, distract or seduce enemy radars

Both electronic Jamming and/or Deception of RF Radar emissions can be achieved by:

• Passive or Active on-board RECM:

• • Passive on-board RECM: Stealth (Reduction of Radar Cross Section)
  • Active on-board RECM: Jamming or Deception

• Passive or Active off-board RECM:

• • Passive off-board RECM: Chaff
  • Active off-board RECM: Expendable and Towed Decoys

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    Figure 1: SP Task exploited with RF based countermeasures (RECM/CHAFF)

• IR field (Passive/Active/on-board/off-board Countermeasures against Infrared Sensors are employed as well, mainly to protect airborne platform from heat seeking missile: Man Portable Air Defence Systems ( MANPADS):
  • Passive or Active on-board EO/IR Counter Measures:
    • Passive on-board: Stealth (Reduction of Platform IR signature)
    • Active on-board: DIRCM (Direct IR Counter Measure)
  • Off-board EO/IR Counter Measures:
    • Flares

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      Figure 2: SP Task exploited with RF based countermeasures (RECM/CHAFF)
      and EO/IR based countermeasures (DIRCM/FLARES)

Delivering RF based countermeasures (RECM/CHAFF) against the sensor that engages our platform worsens the aiming accuracy of the Fire Control Radar by lowering the hit probability of the associated weapons.
In addition, delivering RF based countermeasures (RECM/CHAFF) and/or EO/IR based countermeasures (DIRCM/FLARES) against missile seekers introduces miss distance in the terminal weapon itself, thus enhancing the survivability of our forces.