AN / ALQ-144

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An ALQ-144 jammer on a Rockwell OV-10

The AN / ALQ-144 ( JETDS designation system) is a system for defense against guided missiles with infrared seekers. These should be disturbed by means of specially modulated infrared emissions. It has been in active service since 1980 and is produced by BAE Systems . It is used almost exclusively by helicopters .

description

The core element of the ALQ-144 is an electrically heated silicon carbide block which, when heated, emits very intense infrared radiation. This radiation is then given a special modulation . This is set so that an incorrect target position is calculated during the modulation process in the IR seeker head of the approaching guided missile. The weapon is off course and no longer poses a threat.

For the success of this method, on the one hand, knowledge of the modulation processes of enemy guided missiles is necessary, and on the other hand, a powerful missile warning system is advantageous, which identifies the approaching guided missile as reliably as possible (mostly using its UV signature) in order to determine the correct operating mode. If an exact identification is not possible, various interference modulations are used in quick succession. The emissions of the ALQ-144 are omnidirectional on the horizontal plane, but on the vertical plane the radiation is limited by the upper housing cover and the airframe of the carrier platform. In the basic version, a simple lock-in amplifier is used to achieve the necessary radiation power.

Over 6,000 systems had shipped through 2003, with the United States Armed Forces being the primary customer . The customer base includes 19 other countries, including Turkey , Israel , the Netherlands and Taiwan .

Variants and platforms

variant Platforms Remarks
ALQ-144A (V) 1 - Utility
ALQ-144A (V) 1 - Observation
ALQ-144A (V) 1 - Attack
ALQ-144A (V) 3 - Attack
ALQ-144A (V) 5 - Special Mission (V) 1 system with an additional lock-in amplifier
for significantly higher power and a switch
for manual selection of the modulation
ALQ-144A (V) 6 - Multi Mission
ALQ-144B (V) 1/3 like ALQ-114A (V) 1/3 new components with higher performance
ALQ-144B (V) 5 k. A. also new assemblies plus the additional
lock-in amplifier from the ALQ-144A (V) 5 variant
ALQ-144C k. A. adapted version for particularly dusty
and sandy operating areas

Technical specifications

  • Masses:
    • Transmitter: 12.5 kg
    • Control console: 0.45 kg
  • Dimensions: 320 mm × 340 mm (diameter × height)
  • Radiation power: max. 1.675 kW
  • MTBF :> 600 hours (under operating conditions)

Web links