AN / ALE-47
The AN / ALE-47 ( JETDS designation) is a decoy launcher for combat aircraft and helicopters. It is produced by the British group BAE Systems .
description
The ALE-47 is used for ejecting chaff , flares and disposable jammers to the carrier platform in front of infrared - and radar -gelenkten missiles to protect. The system is currently one of the most widely used decoy launchers and is the general standard for aircraft in the US armed forces . Therefore, it should also replace the devices of the type AN / ALE-39 and 40 . This is relatively easy to implement, as the system components are coordinated so that they have the same space and infrastructure requirements.
The system is based on modern computer components, whereby a high degree of reliability and flexibility could be achieved. The ALE-47 is connected to the avionics of the carrier platform via the MIL-STD-1553 data bus, which means that practically every missile / radar warning system can initiate and control the decoy ejection . Comprehensive self-test routines also enable reliable and early error detection.
Components
Cockpit control unit
This component is installed in the cockpit and has the necessary switches and display elements to configure and operate the system.
- Weight: 1.82 kg
- Dimensions: 953 × 146 × 173 mm
- Energy requirement: 23 W
Computer unit
This optional device plans and controls the discharge of deceit. Thanks to the MIL-STD-1553 data bus, it also represents the interface to on-board avionics and can be expanded or modified using additional plug-in cards .
- Weight: 2.27 kg
- Dimensions: 953 × 146 × 159 mm
- Energy requirement: 20 W
Ejector
The ejection of deceit by the throwing unit is triggered and coordinated with the help of this component. The system can detect false starts or defective decoys, and these events are reported to the computer unit, which can then react accordingly. With the helicopter variant, there is no separate ejector detonator, as it is integrated into the launcher unit.
- Weight: 1.82 kg
- Dimensions: 734 × 158 × 169 mm
- Energy requirement: 5 W
Throwing unit
The launcher unit forms the core of the system and can accommodate up to 30 decoys of various types. The ALR-47 can control up to 32 of these launchers (up to 16 in the helicopter variant).
- Weight:
- empty: approx. 2.27 kg
- loaded: 10.16-12.78 kg
- Dimensions: different
- Energy requirement: none
Operating modes
- Automatic : Fully automatic mode which, in the event of danger, initiates countermeasures immediately without the crew intervening.
- Semi-Automatic : Similar to the "Automatic" mode, but the decoy ejection must be finally authorized by the crew.
- Manual : In this mode, only the crew can initiate countermeasures manually, with six prefabricated profiles for decoy ejection available.
- Bypass : This mode is intended for emergencies. It enables a direct connection to the discharge igniter so that countermeasures can still be used in the event of defective system components.
- Jettison : In this mode the system ejects all decoys at the highest possible speed. This can be useful before an emergency landing , for example , since the flares in particular pose a significant fire hazard.
- System BIT : Starts the system's self-test routines.
Platforms
Planes |
helicopter |
Web links
- Federation of American Scientists (English)
- Information from BAE Systems (English)