AMPS Airborne Missile Protection System

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AMPS integrates multiple subsystems to counter infrared, laser, and radar-guided missile threats. Its modular architecture allows operators to tailor the system to specific mission profiles, making it suitable for both military and civil aviation operations. 

Photo Credit: Hensoldt

The strength of AMPS lies in its modular system architecture. This design enables operators to configure the system according to operational requirements by combining selected subsystems. Whether deployed in high-intensity combat zones or civil aviation environments, AMPS provides scalable protection that can be adapted to diverse mission needs. The subsystems integrated into AMPS include:

  • Missile Warning System (MWS)
  • Active Confirmation System (ACS)
  • Laser Warning System (LWS)
  • Radar Warning System (RWS)
  • Control and Display Unit (CDU)
  • Counter Measure Dispenser System (CMDS)
  • Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM)
  • Inertial Attitude System (IAS)

Each subsystem contributes to a layered defense strategy, ensuring comprehensive protection against multiple types of missile threats.

MILDS Missile Warning System: Passive Imaging Defense

The Missile Warning System (MWS), known as MILDS, is a passive imaging sensor that uses UV solar blind technology to detect hostile fire. It offers high spatial resolution, multi-threat handling, and a very low false alarm rate. MILDS ensures a high probability of detection without emitting signals, making it stealthy and reliable. With no cooling requirements and short activation times, MILDS provides rapid response capabilities, making it a vital component of AMPS.

ACDU Control and Display Unit: Centralized Threat Management

The Control and Display Unit (ACDU) acts as the central hub for control, display, processing, loading, and recording. It integrates multiple communication interfaces and supports CMDS sequencing and control. The ACDU also connects with mission computers for data distribution and control, ensuring real-time threat alerts. Its high reliability and ability to support multi-functional displays make it indispensable for pilots and crews operating in hostile environments.

Kalætron Radar Warning System: Superior Radar Threat Detection

The Radar Warning System (RWS), branded as Kalætron, provides ultra-fast radar threat classification and identification. It offers superior detection range, ultra-low false alarm rates, and excellent COMS suppression. Kalætron covers the full C to K band spectrum, ensuring detection of diverse radar threats. With high direction-finding accuracy and adaptive filtering for high pulse repetition frequency emitters, Kalætron enhances situational awareness and electronic support measures (ESM) functions.

ALTAS Laser Warning System: 360-Degree Laser Threat Detection

The Laser Warning System (LWS), known as ALTAS, detects threats from laser range finders, target designators, and beamriders. With only two sensors, ALTAS achieves full 360-degree coverage, enabling simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple threats. Its ability to identify laser types via a threat library provides operators with critical intelligence, ensuring timely and effective countermeasures.

DIRCM Directed Infrared Countermeasure: Active Missile Defense

The Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) subsystem is compact, lightweight, and highly effective against infrared-guided missiles. It delivers fast time-to-energy on target (TEOT), neutralizing threats quickly. With high laser power, DIRCM achieves efficient countermeasure effectiveness. Depending on the platform, one to three DIRCM effector turrets can be deployed, offering flexible protection tailored to mission requirements.

MACS Active Confirmation System: Eliminating False Alarms

The Active Confirmation System (ACS), also known as MACS, determines missile distance, speed, and time to impact. Its multi-threat capability ensures accurate identification and prioritization of incoming missiles. By eliminating false alarms, MACS enhances the reliability of AMPS, ensuring that countermeasures are deployed only when necessary.

Configuration:

AMPS-M Configuration: Smart Countermeasure Dispenser System

The AMPS-M configuration integrates a highly advanced Countermeasure Dispenser System (CMDS) with up to 16 smart dispensers. This setup allows aircraft to deploy flares or chaff in a precise and coordinated manner, ensuring maximum effectiveness against incoming missile threats. The smart dispensers are capable of sequencing countermeasures automatically, providing pilots with a reliable defense mechanism during high-intensity missions. By offering scalability from one to sixteen dispensers, AMPS-M can be tailored to the size and mission profile of the aircraft, making it suitable for both rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms.

AMPS-MV Configuration: Missile Verification Sensors

The AMPS-MV configuration integrates Missile Verification Sensors (MVS) that confirm the presence of an approaching missile. These sensors measure critical parameters such as distance, speed, and velocity, enabling the system to determine the exact nature of the threat. Depending on the operating mode, countermeasures are automatically initiated, ensuring rapid response without requiring manual input from the crew. This automation reduces reaction time and enhances survivability in combat scenarios where seconds can determine mission success or failure.

AMPS-ML Configuration: Passive Laser Warning System

The AMPS-ML configuration incorporates the ALTAS-2Q(B) passive Laser Warning System. This subsystem is designed to detect, track, and provide warnings of hostile laser sources, including range finders and target designators. By alerting the crew to laser threats, AMPS-ML enables timely evasive maneuvers or deployment of countermeasures. Its passive design ensures stealth operation, while its tracking capability provides continuous situational awareness against multiple simultaneous laser threats.

AMPS-MLR Configuration: Kalaetron Radar Warning Receiver

The AMPS-MLR configuration integrates the Kalaetron Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). With its fully digital design, Kalaetron detects and identifies radar threats at exceptional speed and with a very low false alarm rate. Covering an extremely wide frequency range, the system provides comprehensive protection against modern radar-guided missiles. Its advanced signal processing ensures accurate classification of threats, enhancing situational awareness and enabling pilots to take decisive action in contested airspace.

AMPS-MD Configuration: Directed Infrared Countermeasures

The AMPS-MD configuration replaces traditional flares with Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM). This advanced subsystem uses high-powered lasers to disrupt the guidance systems of infrared-seeking missiles. Compact and lightweight, DIRCM offers rapid response and efficient neutralization of threats. By eliminating the reliance on expendable flares, AMPS-MD provides a sustainable and highly effective solution for long-duration missions where resupply may not be possible.

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