Praetorian DASS

Last updated

Praetorian DASS 1. Laser warners 2. Flare launchers (IR decoys) 3. Chaff dispensers 4. Missile warners 5. Wingtip pods for ESCM 6. Towed decoy DASS by numbers.png
Praetorian DASS 1. Laser warners
2. Flare launchers (IR decoys)
3. Chaff dispensers
4. Missile warners
5. Wingtip pods for ESCM
6. Towed decoy

The EuroDASS Praetorian DASS is an integral part of Eurofighter Typhoon defensive Aid Sub-System (DASS) [1] providing threat assessment, aircraft protection and support measures in extremely hostile and severe environments. As the DASS is fully integrated, it does not require additional pods that take up weapon stations or would influence the aircraft's aerodynamic performance. In addition the modular nature of the DASS simplifies future upgrades and allows each partner nation or export customer the option to tailor the DASS to their individual needs.

Contents

History

The DASS for the Eurofighter Typhoon was intended to be a collaborative effort between the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. However, integration of the system turned out to be very expensive, so much so that in November 1991, Germany left the programme and initiate its own defense system to equip its Typhoons. [2] In February 1992, before signing the £1.5 billion contract for the DASS, Spain also had doubts about the financial viability and withdrew. [3] [4] This left only the UK and Italy in the consortium, now named EuroDASS (European Defensive Aids Sub-System), to be awarded an initial contract of £200 million ($340 million) with the work shares split 60% to GEC-Marconi (now Leonardo) and 40% Elettronica. [4] By 1995, Spain had decided to rejoin the EuroDASS consortium and a contract was signed with Elettronica to allow INDRA to participate. [5]

In May 1996, Germany had found their national system being developed by DASA was too expensive. In 1997, DASA looked to join the EuroDASS consortium proposing to use the towed radar decoy (TRD) it had developed. [6] [7] [8] [9] These discussions failed as GEC-Marconi had already developed their TRD, known as the Ariel, that had been tested up to mach 2 and was operational with the RAF while the DASA's TRD had only been tested up to mach 1.4 and was not integrated into the Defensive Aids Computer (DAC). [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Technology

The Praetorian system is a modular system consisting of antennas for electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic support measures (ESM), missile approach warning systems (MAW), laser warning receivers (LWR) and Towed radar decoy (TRD). [15] The system is divided into 20 major line replaceable units (LRU) with all the components controlled by a Teldix GmbH Defensive Aids Computer (DAC) on MIL-STD-1553 databus. [16] [17] The DAC is connected via fiber optic cables to STANAG 3910 in the avionics, with the entire DAC system controlled by five Radstone PowerPC-4 processors, that have a tenfold increase in computing power compared to the original five Motorola 68020 CPUs. [18] [19] It is fully automatic, which greatly relieves the workload for the pilot in combat but the pilot can manually override.

ESM-RWR

The DASS includes electronic support measures (ESM) and is equipped with radar-warning-receivers (RWR). The RWR is designed to detect threat radars using super heterodyne, digital receiver antennas which are located into the wing tip pods giving full 360° coverage with an accuracy better than 1° in azimuth. These passive antennas can identify radio frequencies of 100 MHz up to 10 GHz, which is sufficient to detect nearly all types of radar systems and even to detect other RF sources such as radios or datalink systems. The data is compared with the database of radar signatures stored in the Electronic Support Measures suite (ESM). Using this information the ESM allows the identification of the radar and thus the platform it is deployed from and presents it on a moving map or multifunction display producing a 360° threat picture around the aircraft including identifying targets and even their zones of lethality. This allows the pilot to fly around these zones to avoid detection or being engaged. Thus the system not only warns a pilot but it helps him to look out for potential targets.

Laser Warning Receiver (LWR)

To counter the threat of laser guided weapons a Laser Warning Receiver, LWR, are installed on UK and Saudi typhoons. [20] These LWRs are optimized for low false alarm rates and can detect lasers pointing at the aircraft and find the direction of the laser source. There are four LWRs on the eurofighter fuselage capable of detecting any incoming laser radiation and determine its bearing, two are located in front of the canards on the front fuselage and the remaining two at the rear behind the wing.

ECM

ECM wingtip pod Austria (Osterreich), Zeltweg, AirPower 2013, Eurofighter Typhoon, 0332.JPG
ECM wingtip pod

The Eurofighter Typhoon features an internal electronic countermeasures system (ECM) that uses a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) and a digital frequency techniques generator to jam multiple airborne and ground-based radar systems at the same time and at long ranges. Each transmitter and receiver modules (T/R) consists of Vivaldi antennas that can passively locate emitters. The antennas are located in front of the wing tip pods, and another at the rear end of the left pod thus ensuring a 360 ° coverage. [21] The T/R modules of AESAS are GaAs-MMIC based and operating in the 6–18 GHz frequency range. The output per module is 27 dBm (0.5 W), before being amplified by 20 dB (100 times), resulting in 50 Watt radiation performance. [22] It is possible that the Cross Eye (X-Eye) system developed by Elettronica will be retrofitted by inserting a second antenna in the right-wing pod. [21] As part of the Phase 1 Enhancement (P1E), Typhoons received new antennas, extending the frequency range and increasing the power and improved DRFM- and ECM techniques. [23]

Missile Approach Warner (MAW)

The cylindrical pod pointing backwards, just above the engines, is the missile approach warning receiver A Typhoon F2 fighter ignites its afterburners whilst taking off from RAF Coningsby MOD 45147957.jpg
The cylindrical pod pointing backwards, just above the engines, is the missile approach warning receiver

To track missiles launched at the typhoon, the DASS incorporates three Missile Approach Warners (MAW), one in each wing root and one in the tail to provide a full 360° azimuth coverage around the aircraft. [24] [25] In 1991, GEC-Plessey Avionics received the order to develop the missile approach warner derived from their PVS2000 MAW and utilises an active, millimeter-wave Ka-band (32–38 GHz) pulse-doppler radar for detection. [22] [26] Since the units are active they are able to detect not only radar guided ordnance but also passive weapons such as infrared guided short range missiles. [27] They can detect multiple missiles launched towards the aircraft in all weather conditions and even after the rocket motor's burnout phase. Once a missile is detected it will identify the threat according to whether it is radar or IR guided and display its location on the MFDs. The MAW can automatically activate the chaff/flare dispensers as required.

Countermeasure Dispenser Systems

Chaff and flare dispensers under the wings Typhoon (5139664582).jpg
Chaff and flare dispensers under the wings

The Eurofighter includes four chaff/flare launchers mounted under the wings. Two Saab BOL-510 dispensers and two Cobham plc / Elettronica Aster 55mm flare dispensers. [28] These countermeasures are controlled automatically by the DAC and, in response to an immediate threat, by the Missile Approach Warners or manually by the pilot.

The two Saab BOL-510 dispensers are located at the end of LAU-7 launch rails near the outer wing tips ensures a good distribution of the decoys in the wake vortices, in addition small air intakes at the end of each dispenser generate more vortices. [29] Each dispenser can be loaded with 160 packets of chaff/flares giving the Eurofighter a total of 320 chaff/flare cartridges (total weight 7–9 kg), consisting of the following decoys:

The two 55 mm flare dispensers contain 16 decoy rounds each, giving a total capacity of 32 flares per aircraft, and are located into the actuators housing of the inner trailing edge flaperons. The decoys will be automatically deployed in intelligent pre-programmed sequences when a missile is launched. There are two types of ammunition available:

On 25 July 2018, Saab received an order from BAE Systems for development of the Smart Dispenser System (SDS), a pyrotechnic smart self-protection system for the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Typhoons and future Eurofighter opportunities. [33] "This new smart dispenser system provides a significant increase in self-protection capability to defeat modern threats by dispensing optimised countermeasure sequences and directions. SDS will significantly enhance the combat survivability of the Eurofighter Typhoon", says Anders Carp, head of Saab business area Surveillance. "Saab´s electromechanical self-protection system BOL has been in use on Eurofighter since its inception, and we are now looking forward to strengthening the platform’s countermeasure capability through SDS." The development and integration work of SDS will be carried out at the Saab site in Sweden and finished around 2020. [34]

Towed Radar Decoy (TRD)

In addition to the onboard ECM, another active countermeasure is the Towed Radar Decoy or TRD. Either one or two Ariel Mk II TRD from Leonardo will be carried in the rear of starboard wingtip pod, and deployed from the pod on a 100 m long Kevlar cable containing a FibreOptic link and a separate power line. The Ariel Mk II is a development of BAE Systems Ariel system which was successfully deployed on RAF Tornados and Nimrods but is physically smaller to enable carriage in the Typhoon's pods. The TRD can tolerate speeds of up to Mach 2 and loads of + 9 / -3g and will be capable of being recovered or jettisoned as the situation requires. [35] The TRDs are effective against a variety of different radar systems like monopulse, TWS (Track While Scan) or CLOS (Command Line Of Sight) radars. As the TRD is an offboard jammer, radar systems featuring a home on jam mode (HOJ) will not be able to directly lock on to the aircraft itself. The effectiveness is further enhanced by the release of Chaff clouds making the decoy a more attractive target for the missile.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saab JAS 39 Gripen</span> Light single-engined multirole fighter aircraft

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are fully NATO interoperable. As of 2020, more than 271 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been delivered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-ship missile</span> Missile used to attack ships

An anti-ship missile is a guided missile that is designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing. A large number of other anti-ship missiles use infrared homing to follow the heat that is emitted by a ship; it is also possible for anti-ship missiles to be guided by radio command all the way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurofighter Typhoon</span> 1994 multi-role combat aircraft family by Eurofighter

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European multinational twin-engine, supersonic, canard delta wing, multirole fighter. The Typhoon was designed originally as an air-superiority fighter and is manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo that conducts the majority of the project through a joint holding company, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, representing the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, manages the project and is the prime customer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saab 35 Draken</span> 1955 Swedish fighter aircraft

The Saab 35 Draken is a Swedish fighter-interceptor developed and manufactured by Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) between 1955 and 1974. Development of the Saab 35 Draken started in 1948 as the Swedish air force future replacement for the then also in development Saab 29 Tunnan dayfighter and Saab 32B Lansen night fighter. It featured an innovative but unproven double delta wing, which led to the creation of a sub-scale test aircraft, the Saab 210, which was produced and flown to test this previously-unexplored aerodynamic feature. The full-scale production version entered service with frontline squadrons of the Swedish Air Force on 8 March 1960. It was produced in several variants and types, most commonly as a fighter-interceptor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteor (missile)</span> European beyond visual range air-to-air missile

The Meteor is a European active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed and manufactured by MBDA. It offers a multi-shot capability, and has the ability to engage highly maneuverable targets such as jet aircraft, and small targets such as UAVs and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures (ECM) environment with a range far in excess of 200 kilometres (110 nmi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brimstone (missile)</span> British air-to-surface missile

Brimstone is a ground or air-launched ground attack missile developed by MBDA UK for the UK's Royal Air Force. It was originally intended for "fire-and-forget" use against mass formations of enemy armour, using a millimetre wave (mmW) active radar homing seeker to ensure accuracy even against moving targets. Experience in Afghanistan led to the addition of laser guidance in the dual-mode Brimstone missile, allowing a "spotter" to pick out specific and the highest priority targets, particularly useful to minimise collateral damage when friendly forces or civilians were in the area. The tandem shaped-charge warhead is much more effective against modern tanks than older similar weapons such as the AGM-65G Maverick missile. Three Brimstones are carried on a launcher that occupies a single weapon station, allowing a single aircraft to carry many missiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euroradar CAPTOR</span> Captor by Euroradar as seen on the Eurofighter Typhoon (CAPTOR-M/E, Mechanical/AESA)

The Euroradar Captor is a next-generation mechanical multi-mode pulse Doppler radar designed for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Development of Captor led to the Airborne Multirole Solid State Active Array Radar (AMSAR) project which eventually produced the CAESAR, now known as Captor-E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet</span> Series of carrier-based multirole combat aircraft

The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are a series of American supersonic twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, in service with the armed forces of the U.S., Australia, and Kuwait. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurofighter Typhoon variants</span> Type of aircraft

The Eurofighter Typhoon is in service with nine nations: United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Austria, with orders for all nine customers still pending as of September 2017. The aircraft has, as of 2016, been provided in a basic air-defense form and has been upgraded to newer production standards which include internal IRST, air-to-ground precision strike capability, and HMSS helmets. Most of the major systems including the CAPTOR radar and the Defence Aids Sub-System (DASS) are expected to be improved and updated over time, with the radar being updated to an AESA, being the CAPTOR-E/CAESAR, of which the Kuwait Air Force will be the inaugural operator, with first deliveries of their 28 new-built aircraft to commence in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electronic countermeasure</span> Electronic device for deceiving detection systems

An electronic countermeasure (ECM) is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems, like infrared (IR) or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy. The system may make many separate targets appear to the enemy, or make the real target appear to disappear or move about randomly. It is used effectively to protect aircraft from guided missiles. Most air forces use ECM to protect their aircraft from attack. It has also been deployed by military ships and recently on some advanced tanks to fool laser/IR guided missiles. It is frequently coupled with stealth advances so that the ECM systems have an easier job. Offensive ECM often takes the form of jamming. Self-protecting (defensive) ECM includes using blip enhancement and jamming of missile terminal homers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark 36 SRBOC</span> American short-range decoy launching system

The BAE Systems Mark 36 Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures Chaff and Decoy Launching System is an American short-range decoy launching system (DLS) that launches radar or infrared decoys from naval vessels to foil incoming anti-ship missiles. The decoys present false signals and interference to the attacking missiles' guidance and fire-control systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infrared search and track</span> Method for detecting and tracking objects which give off infrared radiation

An infrared search and track (IRST) system is a method for detecting and tracking objects which give off infrared radiation, such as the infrared signatures of jet aircraft and helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ADM-160 MALD</span> US decoy missile

The ADM-160 MALD is an air-launched, expendable decoy missile developed by the United States. Later variants (MALD-J) are additionally equipped with electronic countermeasures to actively jam early warning and target acquisition radars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austrian Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of Austrias military

The Austrian Air Force is a component part of the Austrian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the Eurofighter Typhoon</span>

This is the timeline of the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon, a multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Eurofighter GmbH, formed in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chemring Group</span> United Kingdom business

Chemring Group plc is a global business providing a range of advanced technology products and services to the aerospace, defence and security markets. Chemring has extensive operations in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

The AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System is used to protect military aircraft from incoming radar and infrared homing missiles. It works by dispensing flares or chaff. It is used on a variety of U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army aircraft, as well as in other militaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BriteCloud</span> Digital Radio Frequency Memory jammer

BriteCloud is a self-contained expendable Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammer developed by Selex ES to help protect military aircraft. The decoy was launched by Selex ES at a conference held at the Churchill War Rooms, London on 6 November 2013.

Eurofighter Typhoon procurement is the planned selection and purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon jet fighter by various countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Decoy IDS300</span> Naval missile decoy system

Naval Decoy IDS300 is a passive, off-board, octahedral, corner reflector decoy of the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer and the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, forming part of a layered defence to counter anti-ship missiles. Unlike chaff, the decoy is persistent and will float for up to three hours in sea state 4.

References

  1. ↑ "EuroDASS website" . Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Germany issues solo tender for EFA" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. November 1991. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Barrie, Douglas (February 1992). "Spain dithers on Eurofighter DASS choice" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Marconi's team wins EFA DASS" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. 1992. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Spain to consider re-joining DASS" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Barrie, Douglas (8 May 1996). "DASA develops a towed radar decoy for Transall". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej (22 May 1996). "Germany buys off-the-shelf DASS". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "DASA and GEC aim to settle DASS dilemma" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  9. ↑ "...as GEC test-flies new towed-decoy". Flightglobal.com. 24 July 1996. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Germany thinks again on EF2000 defence system" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. September 1997. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  11. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej (25 February 1998). "Eurofighter carries out first supersonic tests with decoy". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Raising the tempo". Flightglobal.com. 16 April 1997. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Jeziorski, Andrzej (1998). "Dasa continues to test decoy despite ministry doubters" (PDF). Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Shared experience". Flightglobal.com. 16 June 1999. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  15. ↑ "Praetorian DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-System)". Leonardocompany.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  16. ↑ Pocock, Chris (20 June 2011). "Paris 2011: Selex sets itself apart in Europe's electronic warfare stakes". Ainonline.com. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Benefits to Industry". Eurofighter.com. 7 June 2005. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Eurofighter Typhoon - Staying Ahead" (PDF). Geautomation.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Re Contract - Radstone Technology (RST) - RNS Company Announcements - Equities - FE Trustnet". Trustnet.com. 8 May 2001. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Aircraft Self-Protection" (PDF). Armadainternational.com. June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  21. 1 2 Bacchelli, Alfredo. "New technologies and innovative techniques for new-generation ECM systems" (PDF). Myaoc.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  22. 1 2 Alleva, Vincenzo; Pinto, Giuseppe (26 January 1994). "Modern radar and EW Systems Call for the large scale use of GaAs MIC and MMIC" (PDF). Amsacta.unibo.it. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "Eurofighter World : Eurofighter Typhoon" (PDF). February 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  24. ↑ "Avionics Magazine :: Typhoon: Europe's Finest". Aviationtoday.com. June 2003. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  25. ↑ "Eurofighter Review Issue 01/2006" (PDF). Defense-aerospace.com. January 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  26. ↑ Komiak, James J. "Design and Performance of Microwave and Millimeter-wave High Efficiency Power Amplifiers" (PDF). Web.njit.edu. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Technical Solution". Elt-roma.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  28. ↑ Gardner, Nick. "Cobham plc :: Mission Systems". Cobham.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  29. ↑ "BOL Countermeasures Dispenser with Superior Endurance" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  30. 1 2 "CHAFF PACK BOL CCM 184". Chemring.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Countermeasures" (PDF). Chemring.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2016.[ dead link ]
  32. ↑ "BriteCloud : Expendable Active Decoy" (PDF). Leonardocompany.com. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  33. ↑ "Saab to Provide RAF's Typhoons With New Smart Self-Protection System". Saab.com. 25 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "Saab to Develop Self-protection System for Eurofighter Typhoon". Defenseworld.net. 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018.
  35. ↑ "Ariel : Fibre Optic Towed RF Decoy" (PDF). Leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 6 November 2016.[ dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.