home Technology Aircraft The Israeli answer to shoulder launched missiles – Part 1

The Israeli answer to shoulder launched missiles – Part 1

Nov 10, 2014

Assaf Shilo / Israel Sun photo 20-6-2011FULL CREDIT MUST BE GIVENàìáéè — The C-MUSIC system. Image: courtesy of Elbit.

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

The C-MUSIC system. Image: courtesy of Elbit.

Part 1

The process of equipping the aircraft used by the Israeli airlines with systems that protect them from shoulder launched missiles is on track.

Following a successful ground test earlier this year, in addition to processing the data collected from a system that has been installed on an EL AL passenger aircraft, the “green light” was given for the installation of the series production systems.

The installation was approved by the Israeli civil aviation authority (CAA) and is being performed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The threat of man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) has grown considerably over the last few years. Elbit Systems Electro-optics Elop’s C-MUSIC systems are a family of DIRCM (Directed IR Counter Measures) solutions for protecting aircraft against heat seeking ground to air missiles.

Israel HLS

According to the Israeli company, these systems integrate advanced fiber laser technology together with a high rate thermal camera and a small, highly dynamic mirror turret to provide effective, reliable and affordable protection to all types of aircraft and under all operational conditions.

C-MUSIC system. Image: courtesy of Elbit.

The initial detection of incoming threats is provided by a missile warning system. When a threatening missile is detected, the warning is passed to the DIRCM which then directs a thermal tracker to acquire and track the threat. A powerful laser beam is then fired accurately at the missile causing it to be deflected away from the aircraft.

The final test proved that the Elbit systems “Sky Shield” system can protect aircraft from the threat of shoulder launched missiles.

The technological achievement is outstanding but at the same time Israeli politicians have proven once again that they are living in a parallel universe where decisions are made by a certain pace – not necessarily one that fits actual reality.

The second part, same time tomorrow, will focus on the belated implementation of the system.