Integrated Electronic Warfare Framework for Infrared Self-protection of Transport Aircraft

In the African scenario, slow-moving airborne platforms such as transport aircraft have in recent years come up against a wide variety of threats, including several generations of man-portable surface to air missile systems (MANPADS or SAMS). With South Africa's role in the AU and NEPAD it has been widely accepted that support for UN-Sanctioned missions such as regional peacekeeping efforts, election support and the rendering of medical assistance, or the supply of food to isolated areas will become normal day-to-day events for military personnel and assets. This paper details the development over the past 15 years of an Infrared Electronic Warfare capability that makes use of integrated field evaluations and simulation to continuously evaluate and optimise the self-protection strategies of the South African Air force’s transport aircraft.